PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament ran for their lives on Wednesday when a bicycle patrol identified as officer Benjamin was shot in the vicinity of the Parliament Building in Philipsburg on Wednesday morning. Bystanders said some MP's tried to find cover as they beleive that the gunmen were coming after Members of Parliament. MP Sarah Wescot Williams, MP Theodore Heyliger, MP Franklin Meyers and MP Lloyd Richardson ran for cover in one of the private rooms of parliament SMN News was told. However, the MPs later learnt that officer Benjamin (aka Gambly of Benjy) of Middle Region area was shot in the head area and was in critical condition. The shooting took place in the area of Caribbean Palm which is in the alley where the House of Parliament is located.
Bystanders said that the officer was shot somewhere in the vicinity of his neck and head area and that ambulance personnel was busy reviving the officer who was badly injured before taking him to the St. Maarten Medical Center for further treatment.
Several eyewitnesses said that police surrounded the area and scores of bystanders looks on.
SMN News learnt that the victim is in critcial condition and doctors at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has to conduct and emergency operation in order to save the officer's life. SMN News further learnt that the suspected shooter has been arrested but no official statement can be obtained from management of KPSM as yet since they are all busy dealing with the medical condition of the officer and the suspect who shot him. Preliminary information reaching SMN News states that Officer Benjamin walked in a jewelry store not far away from Caribbean Palm where some armed gun men was busy committing an armed robbery. So far the entire Philipsburg has been shit down by Police as they try to hunt down the other culprits.
SMN News will bring you more information as it becomes available. 
