Police Complete Investigation into Kahleel Simon Shooting as Family Demands Accountability

Police say investigations into the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Kahleel Simon have now been completed, with the matter moving into what authorities describe as another phase.

The update was provided during a media briefing on Tuesday, but law enforcement officials did not elaborate on what the next stage of the process will involve.

“The investigation into that matter is now completed, and that matter will be submitted to the coroner very soon,” said Head of the Criminal Investigations Department Lisborn Michael.

Simon was killed by police on his 18th birthday last year, an incident that has sparked public outrage and sustained calls for accountability from his family and members of the community.

Despite the announcement that the investigation has concluded, the officer who discharged the fatal shot has not been placed off duty, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Simon’s relatives.

Since the teenager’s death, more than five public protests have been staged by family members, supporters, and residents demanding transparency and justice.

The family, along with St. Mary’s South MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, continues to press the police for answers about the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter. Several key questions remain unresolved, including whether Khaleel Simon was armed, whether he posed a threat to officers, and whether the officer’s life was in danger at the time the shot was fired.

Relatives have also raised concerns about police actions leading up to the incident, alleging that officers had been following Simon from St. John’s prior to the confrontation.

They are questioning why authorities did not intervene earlier if they believed he posed a threat.

Loved ones described Kahleel as a young man “just beginning to discover life and his purpose,” someone who was full of promise and youthful optimism.

His family believes his life was “tragically and maliciously taken by those sworn to protect him.”

They have also sharply criticized the use of deadly force, questioning why officers allegedly fired at what they described as “neck height” instead of using non-lethal methods to stop the vehicle.

Beyond the circumstances of the shooting itself, the family is calling for broader reforms within the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, raising concerns about what they believe to be deeper issues of accountability and oversight.

The family has vowed to continue their public demonstrations until they receive what they describe as justice and full disclosure of the facts surrounding Kahleel Simon’s death.