COLE BAY:---
Police have confirmed that an early-morning shooting on Welfare Road on Tuesday, April 21, stemmed from an attempted robbery targeting a patron near a popular restaurant, leaving three people injured, including an American tourist struck as an innocent bystander.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) said the incident occurred shortly after 4:00 a.m. in the vicinity of a well-known 24-hour restaurant. Central Dispatch received multiple emergency calls reporting gunfire in the area.
When officers and ambulance personnel arrived, they found a female visitor suffering from gunshot wounds to her lower extremities. She was treated at the scene before being transported to Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further medical care.
Further investigation later revealed that the restaurant itself was not the target. Instead, suspects allegedly attempted to rob a patron outside the establishment, and shots were fired during the confrontation.
Police said a total of three individuals were wounded in the incident. Among them was an American female tourist who was inside the restaurant when she was struck by a stray bullet.
Two of the victims received treatment at Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), while the third sought medical attention at a healthcare facility on the French side of the island. Authorities confirmed that none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
While responding to the scene, patrol officers reportedly observed a vehicle believed to be connected to the suspects. A pursuit was launched, but the vehicle managed to flee across the border into the French side through the Belle Vue area.
Police said efforts are ongoing to identify the vehicle and locate the individuals involved.
KPSM detectives continue to gather surveillance footage, digital evidence, and witness statements as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The incident has renewed public concern over violent crime in the busy Welfare Road district, one of the island’s most active nightlife and commercial corridors.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or who may have information relevant to the investigation to come forward.
Further updates are expected as the case develops.
