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Gun Violence Claims Two Lives In One Weekend

Gunfire rang through the Castries community of Bois Patat on Saturday. By 7:40pm a report of the incident was made with the Criminal Investigations Department in Castries.

When investigators made it to the scene, it was discovered that 29-year-old Bradley Travis Cole had sustained gunshot injuries, including one to the back of his head, and was unresponsive. Shortly after, he was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner.

Just over 24 hours later, at 11:20pm on Sunday, the Gros-Islet Police Station received a report of a shooting at Pigeon Point. 21-year-old Nke St.Ville was discovered to have been shot below the torso. 

By Monday he was pronounced dead by medical practitioners at the Owen King European Union hospital.

The island continues to grapple with crime concerns as Saint Lucia’s 2024 homicide count rose to 59 following St. Ville’s death.

Concerns permeate the wider public, inciting officials to forge new avenues to attempt to tackle the troubling trend. 

Today, newly appointed Acting Commissioner of Police, Verne Garde, will present a crime-fighting strategy to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.

The prevalence and aftermath of gun violence raise concerns particularly with families who have also had loved ones killed.

 Allison Jean, mother to the late Botham Jean shared during an event held by the Botham Jean Foundation, “It’s very concerning to me, to my family and to the foundation. Especially since Botham himself was a victim of a criminal act.”

Jean also anticipates the upcoming parole hearing of Amber Guyger, who shot and killed her son when she entered his apartment, claiming she mistook the deceased’s residence for hers and believed he was a burglar.

 “This year, September 6th it’s six years since his passing, and his perpetrator, who was convicted of murder is serving a 10-year sentence but is eligible for parole at 5 years, so this year, her parole hearing is going to be held… I’m not one who is going to dwell on whether she should be in prison or not, I believe she should be, she should pay for her crime, but whatever the outcome I am willing to accept it.”

Jean said the prevalence of crime on the island informs the Botham Jean Foundation’s outreach approach as it extends assistance directly targeted to improving wellness of locals, attempting to alleviate the pressures felt at home by families.

 “This is the foundation’s way of reaching out to the underserved, the underprivileged, and attempting to deal, to some extent, with our crime situation. Because we believe that by providing skills and assistance to the needy, by assisting with health wellness and senior citizens homes and juvenile centers, we’ll assist in reducing the scourge of crime that we’re seeing.”

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has urged individuals with information regarding the island’s two most recent homicides to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 456-3770. 

Additionally, the Crime Hotline (555) and the RSLPF Crime Hotline App are available for anonymous reporting.

 

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Apparently the cry will never stop, the tears will never stop flowing because we have some evil ones living among us. Until they destroy themselves for their own gain society will not be in peace. These vagabonds have no regard for people lives. They are dangerous and equally they are dragging you down with them society needs to put a foot down and say enough is enough… Pour hot oil on them so it can be visible to others.

  2. @Incaseyoudontknow – you spoke truth and I repost —

    “we have some evil ones living among us. Until they destroy themselves for their own gain society will not be in peace. These vagabonds have no regard for people lives.” and I will add

    [Bullets have no eyes so the fact is – all St. Lucians are at risk and something needs to be done like yesterday.] – in addition God forbid one of the visitors ??????????

  3. There is no other God beside you !
    When ever I am afraid I will trust God !!
    “Come let us go to the mountain of our LORD,to the house of God..
    He will teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths”.
    The law will go out from..
    Choose God and live ❗
    Lamentations :
    St Lucians unbelief of the word of God is due to lamentations such as the the mockers blasphèmers and haters of God will ever never tast the goodness of God in the land..

    Our GOD is a GOD who SAVES ❗
    From the SOUVEREIGN LORD Comes escape from death..
    Yet in their mockery and blasphèmes,they refused to acknowledge me,” declares the LORD..

  4. @Concerned. That ain’t happening. Most in this country have no moral compass and are seeking their chance to get their bit as well.

  5. If we are wise our wisdom will rewards us,or our mockery will rebuke us…
    When we pray God answer and answer with his Salvation ❗

  6. Well as I have keep repeating the past weeks This Island is really paying for something or the devils is dancing in Glory with these souls here. There alot of revenge crime happening since couple years ago and it hasnt stopped. Now Blood is sinking in the earth and the evil has no remorse. We each have to pray for our selves Cause many people here don’t look up to prayers as evil is the order of the day here.We would not see Capitol Punishment here or in the Caribbean again. These days are all over. I’m pretty sure in Other countries where execution takes place and there still have crime being done there. Cause humans will stop at nothing to get their evil act. Now the criminals have rights, so they end in Jail eat, sleep shit ,

  7. Ms. Allison Jean, if you are truly concerned about the scourge of crime on this island, then use your voice and your influence to tell the judges and magistrates to stop this nonsensical practice of granting bail to illegal gun owners. When you start doing that, then I will believe you are truly concerned about crime. Thank you.

  8. This Government needs to get a grip, you are losing control of your island to these people. Soon the flow of tourists will stop and what will you do then? You can’t keep relying on handouts from other countries in return for your vote on some dubious issue on another.

  9. We have so much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because we are we are slow to learn against falling away, but God is able to deal gently with those who are ignornant and are going astray…
    During the days of Jesus ‘ life on earth,he offered up prayers and
    petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could Save him from death,and he was heard because of his reverent submission..
    Although he was a son,he learned obedience from what he suffered and,once made perfect,he became the source of eternal Salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God…
    The Parable of the Sower
    Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessings of God..
    But land that produces throns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of beign cursed ;in the end it will be 🔥🔥burned..
    Should we not know ⚖️ justice we who hate good and love ❤️😈❓

  10. Like my PM, I don’t know but maybe the authorities know more than me. I am not a police and I will let the doctors do their job because I’m not a doctor. Why was the Pigeon Point victim being administered first aid by his father and not paramedics. Why wasn’t the ambulance and police called sooner. I REALLY DON’T KNOW.

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