By Admin. Updated 7:11 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The individual seen in a viral video showing police apprehending a man on Hillsborough East Street, Kingstown, has been identified as Mr Kenton Harris, 32, from Level Garden (Kingstown Park) area.
Harris was reportedly admitted to the Mental Health Centre on March 13, 2026, under a court order after he allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with his brother.
Reports indicate that he absconded from the facility on March 19, after which he was apprehended by police and returned to the Mental Health Centre. He reportedly appeared in court on March 31 and was not taken back to the Mental Health Centre following the hearing.
He recently drew public attention after a video showing an altercation with police circulated widely online.
The mentally ill man was reportedly taken to the Mental Health Centre after which he was sent to the hospital for evaluation of injuries he reportedly suffered after his forceful apprehension by police. The incident has sparked public outrage.
The incident has also reignited public discussion surrounding the management of persons with mental illnesses, particularly in cases where concerns have been raised about public safety.
In one recent case, the wife of a pastor was killed at her home in Diamond on April 21, 2026, reportedly by a man said to have suffered from mental health problems. The accused, Bronson Parris, later appeared in court on May 13, on a murder charge and was sent to the Mental Health Centre for observation and evaluation.
In another recent incident, a woman in Diamond who was allegedly attacked and injured by a mentally ill man recently called for greater police intervention in dealing with persons experiencing mental health crises.
The issue has also been highlighted in previous criminal matters. In 2023, according to a report by Searchlight Newspaper, 25-year-old Jurani Baptiste of Sandy Bay pleaded guilty to manslaughter on May 9 in connection with the November 14, 2016 killing of 59-year-old Pamela Williams, a retired nurse who was killed at her home in Kingstown Park.
While detained, Justice Brian Cottle “ordered that Baptiste continue his treatment for a mental health condition; he will reappear before the court after three years. The court will then assess whether he is fit to be released back into society,” Searchlight reported.
In response to the May 21, 2026 incident involving Harris, Commissioner of Police Enville Williams ordered an immediate investigation into a video circulating publicly that appears to show alleged police brutality, as the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force moved to reassure the public that any abuse of authority will not be tolerated.
The video, which has been widely shared online, appears to show an interaction between several police officers and a civilian that has prompted allegations of excessive force.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force – RSVGPF acknowledged the public concern generated by the footage and declared that “brutality, unlawful force, intimidation, humiliation, or any abuse of police authority has no place” within the force.
“The public has seen enough to expect a clear response, and that response is this: brutality, unlawful force, intimidation, humiliation, or any abuse of police authority has no place in the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force,” the statement said.
The RSVGPF said the Commissioner condemns any conduct by officers that falls outside the lawful and professional standards expected of the organisation.
“Police authority is granted to protect the public, preserve order, and enforce the law. It must never be used to punish, degrade, or overpower persons beyond what the law permits,” the statement continued.
According to the force, the investigation will be comprehensive and evidence-based, examining the video recording, surrounding circumstances, witness accounts, and the conduct of the officers involved. “Those investigations will be thorough, fair, and guided by evidence,” the statement said.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the footage, police officials urged members of the public to allow investigators to complete their work before conclusions are reached.
“The public is asked to allow that process to reach the truth. A video may raise serious questions, but a proper investigation must establish the full facts before final decisions are made,” the statement said.
The RSVGPF also made clear that officers found to have acted unlawfully or in breach of disciplinary standards will face consequences.
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