Minister of Equity, Social Justice, Gender, Older Persons, Labour, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, Emma Hippolyte, has strongly condemned what she described as a “senseless act of violence” that claimed the life of 24-year-old mother Joy St Omer.
She said support services have been activated for the victim’s family.
“The ministry, through its various agencies, has reached out to the family of the deceased, providing the necessary support services to the adults and children directly affected,” she said in a statement issued on Friday, two days after St Omer was shot while sitting in a vehicle in Marigot. “Given the ministry’s broad mandate, various units are engaged in dialogue with other stakeholders in the social, health, policing and justice sectors as the details of the incident and associated interventions are coming to hand.”
Hippolyte also called on citizens to cooperate with authorities to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. They are being encouraged to report crime by calling 999 or using the anonymous 555 line. For intimate partner violence, Saint Lucians can call 202 for guidance, support and shelter.
The Gender Affairs Minister also extended condolences to St Omer’s family, friends, colleagues and coworkers.
Police said on Thursday that the suspect in the killing turned himself in and remains in custody. They confirmed that the man, St Omer’s estranged husband, had a protection order against him at the time of the fatal shooting.
Noting that traumatic incidents such as this may heighten fear and anxiety, Hippolyte urged the public to avoid behaviour that could further isolate vulnerable people.
“If you need emotional support, please call 203 or reach out to the Division of Human Services or your nearest mental health clinic for support,” she said.
Hippolyte also issued a warning to perpetrators of violence that “there is nowhere to hide”. State institutions, the minister said, are working together through inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms in crime prevention, gender-based violence response coordination and justice to crack down on violence in all its forms.
A lot to do, a lot to say, always after the fact!
It is precisely for crimes like this we need the death penalty. I believe in the sanctity of life. I believe life should be preserved where possible but there comes a time that such acts of criminality are so heinous (as in this case of this beautiful young woman) that the perpetrator, by committing such outrageous act, automatically forfeits his/her life. I propose to bring back the death penalty for crimes like these.. now hear me out.
As in this sad case that happened a few days ago, we have no doubt this sorry excuse of a man committed the crime, he said he would have done it and he premeditated the act, then found the means( the weapon) and actioned his intentions then handed himself in….no points for that….as a criminal, you get a fair trail before the law, and if found guilty, you get one appeal. Once you loss the appeal, you are getting 2 weeks to put your business right and after that , you are non existent. Animals like that don’t deserve to be amongst civilised people. Death penalty for you….if criminals knew that if they commit such heinous crimes and get caught, found guilty beyond reasonable doubt, you get death penalty…you then get your appeal, once you lose that appeal, you know in two weeks time you are gone…. criminals will think twice committing such heinous acts… because you will know the date you will be non existent…bring back the death penalty for crimes like this. Society cannot accept that blatant disregard for life, from someone who showed no conscience by committing this act. The state needs a deterrent to prevent things like this from happening. It’s because this criminals know they can face the death penalty, that’s is why they are emboldened to commit such acts…but if they knew they would get executed 2 weeks after their failed appeal, they would at least think twice….no point keeping these dysfunctional idiots on life in prison being fed 3 square meals wasting tax payers money….
2 weeks and in your brain, you know the end is coming…that would also be a warning to those who even contemplate going down that road….you would behave and in case you didn’t behave and committed the crime anyway, well we get rid of you.. Society don’t have to put up with such disgraceful acts.
Always after the fact, smh