Rashawn ‘Turtle” Shabazz died Thursday morning
Superintendent of Prisons, Lieutenant Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather, has confirmed to Antigua.news that inmate Rashawn ‘Turtle” Shabazz died Thursday morning following a police-assisted extraction from his cell at His Majesty’s Prison.
According to Pennyfeather, prison officials had been attempting to get Shabazz to leave his cell so he could be taken to the prison’s medical unit for treatment. However, he had reportedly barricaded himself inside the cell and refused repeated requests to come out.
Pennyfeather told journalist Shermain Bique-Charles that prison staff spent considerable time speaking with Shabazz in an effort to persuade him to cooperate, but he allegedly threatened officers, prompting prison authorities to request police assistance.
Rashawn ‘Turtle” Shabazz died Thursday morning
During the extraction, police reportedly discharged rubber bullets while Shabazz used a mattress as a shield. Tear gas was then deployed in an effort to force him from the cell.
Pennyfeather said Shabazz was successfully extracted alive but was coughing following the use of the gas. He was transported to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where he later died.
The Superintendent said he subsequently met with Shabazz’s family, informed them of the circumstances surrounding the incident, and extended his condolences on behalf of the prison administration.
The circumstances surrounding Shabazz’s death are expected to be the subject of a full investigation. An autopsy is also expected to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Shabazz was shot by police on August 31 2023, during an incident that resulted in the removal of one of his kidneys.
At the time, Shabazz had been released from His Majesty’s Prison just three days earlier.
According to eyewitness accounts, he was creating a disturbance in the vicinity of Perry Bay Supermarket by throwing stones at members of the public. Witnesses also reported seeing him armed with a long knife.
Police responded to the scene and shot Shabazz in an effort to subdue him.
Following the incident, Shabazz was admitted to the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital for treatment. He was reported to be suffering from schizoaffective disorder.
I know his father. Im sorry he died this way. Jah. Some families have it rough., But I dont understand the drama associated with getting the man medicated. So you mean someone died because he was refusing to take pharmaceuticals? Mek ummm mek sence please
Hmmm.
Is that a way of covering the truth? I hope Antigua.news keep us “updated” on this matter. Still waiting to hear the update on the other guy they “found” dead in his cell.
Dying in prison cannot be something easy. I can’t imagine dying with not knowing what upgrades my country have. But if he saw that it was the only way out and he rather die than suffer then, farewell and condolences to the families
This is a real wicked thing to do to an inmate who already has mental issues
At no time did anyone think about including his family, before doing all those horrible things to someone with a known mental disorder?
Pennyfeather should be suspended forthwith. While the investigation takes place.
hMMMMMM that story not storying at all. Where is the rest of the information. So u telling us is the teargas that kill him
Hmmm
Are you kill off the boy turtle r you MS WICKED NF YU TELL ME UU MOVING A PERSON FROM POINT A TOO POINT BE AND KILL OFF THE MAN FUCKERY ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL GOD NAH SLEEP WAH GOES UP MUSS COME DWN R YOU NAH GO SLEEP GOOD A NIGHT BELIEVE
sad situation. Hoping there’s a full and transparent investigation so the family gets answers.
Just the other day we were in slavery and now we are free we seems to punish our own in a worse way. We charge our own worse than massa did. Now I believe is black man sold black man into slavery. The only power black man have over any race on earth is over themself and that is why we treat each other so cruel.
A man known to have asthma. Being tear gased? In a prison cell? Don’t they follow up on prisoners to make sure that they are medicated when needed? A mentally ill person should have a date to get their medication before they start misbehaving. Please check up on you all selves. You all have family too.
day by day the current acting govt and it’s police force makes it ever more obvious how incompetent and corrupt they are… Y’all killed this man in environment that you should have full control over 0 excuses for this one. Economic power house my ass fucking new world 4th world banana republic is more accurate..
Condolences to the family and friends this did not need to happen especially in 2026.
Rubber Bullets then tear gas. Come on. Was all this necessary over taking some mad pills?
Does the prison not have a secure unit where prisoners with mental health issues are housed? They should never be amongst the general population. A patient should never leave ClareView and then be deposited into a prison cell. Mental illness is a serious issue. We should never ridicule or shame people, as we certainly would not do so to a person with a visible illness
It’s sad that another young man has lost his life senselessly. I can just imagine how rough and heavy handed the police were with him , as we tend to behave as is prisoners have no human rights. May he rest in peace.