Retired prison officer shot dead in armed robbery

(CMR) People across the Cayman Islands expressed shock and anger Monday night, 25 April, after retired prison officer Harry Elliot (63) was shot and killed in an alleged armed robbery.

Elliott was reportedly shot and killed as he was leaving a  business establishment in George Town.

According to CMR sources, Elliot was leaving when the alleged perpetrator entered. The man reportedly asked Elliot if he had any money before shooting him in the head. The other occupants of the building allegedly ran from the building after Elliot was shot.

The police believed he was killed in a robbery gone wrong.

“I'm in shock that my brethren has been killed by criminals. Just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” one person posted on Facebook.

“I really can't believe that my friend and ex-coworker had to be killed. This s*** is not real. What is happening in the Cayman Islands,” another person wrote.

Elliot is originally from St Elizabeth, Jamaica, but migrated along with his family to the Cayman Islands many years ago. In 2016, Elliot, who was a supervisor, received a medal for over 30 years of service in the Prison Service.

Police reports are that shortly before 8:30 pm Monday, police and emergency services were dispatched by the 9-1-1 Communications Centre to a report of a shooting incident at the commercial premises on School Road, George Town.

On arrival at the address, the police located Elliot lying unresponsive on the floor with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his head.

Emergency services attended the location, and Elliot was transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by the doctor on duty.

The scene has been cordoned off, and police are investigating the incident.

Detectives are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to call the Major Incident Room at 649-2930. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via their Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777 or website. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Cayman Crime Stoppers online.