Cop shooter picked up in Cayman after illegal entry

(CMR) An illegal fugitive who shot and injured three police officers in the United States has been found living in the Cayman Islands after several months.

According to exclusive sources, Whendel Stewart (35) a Guyanese national, came into the Cayman Islands via Jamaica in late November or early December. He was picked up last week by Cayman Island Customs & Border Control (CBC) last week Wednesday and has been in custody since.

He arrived on a commercial flight under his own name. Our sources indicate he traveled to the Bahamas then Barbados and onto Jamaica before entering Cayman. CMR sources indicate he may also be wanted in Guyana for serious drug trafficking offenses.

Stewart is described as “a dangerous criminal and Bloods street gang member” who was convicted of drug trafficking, carjackings and robberies. On October 14, 2004 at 19 years old Stewart opened fire on three Newark Police officers during a car theft from a moving vehicle. All three officers were shot but survived their injuries.

At the time Stewart was a non-citizen and sentenced to only 3 years of probation for the shootings. Because the judge did not inform ICE of his immigration status he was permitted to remain in the United States for another 10 years. In 2006 he was indicted for various carjackings. In December 2006 he shot a 21-year-old man in the chest whilst exiting an NJ transit bus in East Orange, NJ. In 2007 a 22-count indictment was returned against Stewart for drug trafficking to an undercover police officer. Once again, he was released.

On October 15, 2008 he was booked for “brutally assaulting” a police officer and possession of a 9mm Colt semi-automatic handgun and 16 rounds of live 9mm ammo including a hollow point bullet in the chamber. Whilst incarcerated he also was indicted for obtaining a cell phone and making threats from his prison cell.

He is also believed to have been involved in several murders. Stewart acted as an informant for the Newark Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist with the arrests of Bloods gang members. However, it was discovered he was falsely informing on others.

Stewart was eventually deported back to Guyana some three years ago.