The Executive Director of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, Brian Louisy, has expressed deep sorrow and outrage following the tragic shooting death of Stefan Eudovic, a CPJ employee and resident of La Croix Maingot. Eudovic was fatally shot during a brazen daylight robbery on Tuesday in Belair, which pushed Saint Lucia’s homicide toll for the year to 74.
Two masked assailants reportedly targeted a CPJ goods vehicle, shooting Eudovic in the upper thigh. Despite emergency medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries. The incident has reignited concerns over safety and security for employees and businesses, especially during the holiday season when criminal activity often escalates.
In a statement to St. Lucia Times on Wednesday, Louisy described the incident as “a sad day for the country, businesses, and affected families,” emphasising the toll that crime exacts on society.
“I wish to extend condolences to the family of the gentleman who was a victim of this incident and has succumbed to his injuries. It is saddening, and it’s not something anyone would have expected or hoped for,” Louisy said.
Louisy noted that goods vehicles have increasingly become targets of criminal activity, recalling a spate of similar robberies in recent years. He highlighted the ripple effects of such incidents, including higher security costs for businesses, which are often passed on to consumers.
“This is unacceptable. We need to do better. Businesses need to be a lot more alert and put security measures in place. We need to work with the police to ensure greater patrols and presence,” Louisy said.
He stressed the financial and emotional costs of crime, highlighting that its impact goes beyond immediate losses to include heightened security expenses, loss of life, and mental stress on citizens.
Louisy urged the business community to prioritise the safety of employees over material goods and called for enhanced training and procedures to de-escalate potentially violent situations.
“The lives of team members are more valuable than the goods at stake. Businesses must adopt strategies to minimise the risk of violence and loss of life,” he told St. Lucia Times.
The Executive Director also reiterated the Chamber’s long-standing appeal for stronger partnerships with law enforcement to combat crime.
“We’d like to see greater police presence and patrols all over the country. We need a concerted effort to ensure public safety,” he stated.
Tuesday’s fatal shooting was a reminder of the ongoing crime issue, prompting the Chamber and business community to call for immediate and collective action to prevent future tragedies.
“This is a wake-up call for us all,” Louisy declared.
The quality of tyres being purchased for retail and the road conditions contributes greatly on the amount of accidents we are having now. The bureau of standards needs to play their part. I bought a set of new tyres two weeks after I had to change them because they felt like I was driving on ice. We need signage and we need the edges to be painted. That makes a lot of difference.
UHHH ANOTHER ONE AGAIN… SMDH
So sad.
My condolences to the family and to the staff at CPJ.
Drop your guns please, this country is crying for their dead.
Sorry, they are not going to drop their guns. That part is over. It has been the part where they are forced to drop their guns.
Condolences to the family of the employee. He went to perform an honest day’s work and never returned home. Who is talking about his right to life? He got snuffed and that was it. Who is letting gunmen out on bail? He is responsible too even though he remains hushed. A powerful indictment on his performance.
The powers that be need to put an end to this madness once and for all (there are DEVILS/DEMONS living in St. Lucia – I say this because the perpetrators of crime are without a conscience and are heartless-they are possessed) a kid was shot in the face not to long ago, a little boy was shot in Vieux Fort a year or so ago – this is too much for your 238 square mile radius….you folk will continue to live in fear and anxiety 24/7 – while others are marketing the island for various festivals. To be honest – if these horrific crimes continue – St. Lucia is doomed economically. There is something called crossfire which can hit anyone anywhere at anytime. Godspeed.
I expect folks are going to buy the stolen goods because they will be offered at a lower price than what’s set in a CPJ store. Nevertheless, I am sure Pip will still count the economic activity surrounding the robbery & murder towards the increasing (albeit slight) GDP of St. Lucia. What? There’s a silver lining to every cloud! Gotta protect the victory!
Who cares. I am there Protecting the Victory. Doesn’t the Chamber hv access to the PM and minister for national security. Is him you hv to tell about increased police presence not me. I note u already hinting at increase in prices in the name of improving security. Didn’t PJP already take 2.5% for that. , so ask him for it. SMH.
Stay vigilant people, stay vigilant, especially this time of year……they are watching your movements, sometimes you must stop being so routine and switch up sometimes to throw them off. Nudge The Fudge as per usual, your never ending perdition of equations in retrospect to crime and the lack of leadership by the PM is rather overly preposterous.