More than a month after 21-year-old Kiokya “Kiki” Inglis was shot in Bois d’Orange, her family says they are living through unimaginable heartbreak as the young woman remains in a vegetative state.
With the family’s permission, advocacy group Voices Beyond Violence has shared details of Inglis’ condition in an effort to raise awareness about the devastating impact of gender-based violence and to keep public attention on the case.
Inglis was shot on the night of Thursday, June 4, 2026, and rushed to the Owen King European Union Hospital in critical condition. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force initially reported that one person had been taken into custody.
Speaking to St Lucia Times, Voices Beyond Violence representative Angel Foster said the family wanted the public to understand the severity of Inglis’ condition.
According to Foster, Inglis sustained gunshot wounds to the head, abdomen and spine and has since been diagnosed by doctors as being in a vegetative state.
“She has feeding tubes, she cannot walk, she cannot physically move on her own, she cannot speak,” Foster said.
She added that while Inglis is expected to be discharged from hospital, her condition remains extremely serious and her long-term recovery is uncertain.
Foster said Inglis’ mother, father, sister and best friend have been left devastated by what has happened.
“The wording that they use is that they’re devastated, they’re heartbroken,” Foster explained. “They find it very difficult to speak seeing her in that position.”
She said the family is also seeking justice and hopes the case continues to receive the attention it deserves.
“The family just wants justice. They want to make sure that the seriousness of the situation is recognised by the local authorities, while also bringing awareness that this is gender-based violence happening again,” Foster said.
While recounting what relatives had shared with the advocacy group about the events leading up to the shooting, Foster stressed that it is for investigators to determine exactly what happened and who bears responsibility.
She noted that while two individuals are currently in custody in connection with the matter, the facts of the case will ultimately be determined by the courts.
Foster also expressed concern that the shooting has received comparatively little public attention despite its devastating consequences.
“It was quite shocking that what happened to Kiki happened within two weeks of Joy’s death,” she said, referring to the May 20 shooting death of 24-year-old Joy St Omer, whose estranged husband has been charged with her murder. “We’re disappointed that this keeps on happening.”
She said Voices Beyond Violence will continue advocating for stronger protections for women, justice for victims and survivors, and greater public awareness of gender-based violence in Saint Lucia.
As Kiokya’s family continues to hope for a miracle, they are asking the public not to forget the young woman whose life changed in an instant and whose future now hangs in the balance
