(CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS)- Police Officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and residents of Jessups Village crowded the Pinney’s Beach on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 where it appeared that a young male from the Jessups community was attempting to commit suicide.
When this media house arrived on the scene, it was observed that a young man was holding unto the rare of a vessel named ‘Islander’ with his body in the water and his head raised above the water. Persons swam out to sea and encouraged the youngster to come ashore but he refused and wrestled away as the rescuers tried to assist him. He screamed and yelled to them. He yelled that everyone should leave him alone and that he was stronger than them. He asked that no one touch him.
His teary-eyed mother stood on the shore looking on helplessly as persons tried to help her son.
After spending more than an hour out to sea a rope was eventually tied around the young man and persons successfully pulled him out of the water and on to the boat where he was then transported to a small pier in the vicinity of the Four Seasons Resort. He was completely naked.
He was handed over to police officials who handcuffed him in an effort to calm him down. The ambulance was then called to the scene and he was transported to the Alexandra Hospital for treatment.
Residents of Jessups Village were shocked by the behavior of the young man since they knew him to be very quiet and one who hardly spoke. However, one resident indicated that since the death of Shante Claxton, the youngster, who he identified as ‘Sheldon’, was not taking the news well. It was indicated that he and the deceased Shante Claxton were very good friends.
Another male on the scene mentioned that since Monday, on the job, he realized that Sheldon was extremely quiet but he had no idea that the tragedy was affecting him so greatly. Another village resident stated that this is a time when persons in the village of Jessups needs to come together and to be there for each other.