Four people have been killed in a shooting in Green Hill, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with four others injured.
The victims have been identified as Steve King, 22; Antonio Samuel, 30; Shaqueil Peters, 26; and Shevon Chandler, 23. Four people aged 16, 17, 20 and 28 were injured and listed in stable condition in hospital.
Acting Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock, who is also minister of national security, expressed condolences to the families on Saturday. He noted that the victims were all under 30, with some younger than 20. Leacock said he was speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Godwin Friday, who is attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Leacock has been publicly emphasising the need for youth discipline in recent weeks. At a Grammar School anniversary event on Monday, he warned that students engaging in public brawls and criminal behaviour would face firm police action. On Friday, he addressed the Cadet Force on their 90th anniversary, speaking about moral courage and community leadership.
The acting PM framed the killings as part of a broader problem of gang activity and youth violence spreading across communities. He said the country cannot "arrest and prosecute its way out of crime and violence," and called for a "whole-of-St. Vincent approach" involving families, churches, schools and faith-based communities.
Leacock pointed to his proposal from over 25 years ago for a social and spiritual redemption charter, arguing that the government should invest more in youth organisations and preventative measures. He noted that the government spends approximately EC$16,000 annually to keep a person in prison, while youth organisations receive minimal funding.
He highlighted that only one Grammar School student was among the cadets at their anniversary parade on Friday, contrasting this with Barbados, where youth organisations were prominently displayed at a recent event.
Police called a press conference for Saturday afternoon as the investigation continued.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.