A 27-year-old man, identified as Darnal Edward of Monchy, Gros Islet, was shot and killed at his home in what relatives describe as a brazen attack.
According to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), the Gros Islet Police Station received a report of a shooting in Monchy around 9:30 p.m. last Friday. A team responded immediately and found Edward’s body on his verandah with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead by a medical practitioner.
The killing occurred just minutes after another fatal shooting was reported in Dennery at 9:17 p.m. on the same evening. Both incidents are under investigation.
On Saturday morning, an image believed to show Edward’s body in a pool of blood circulated widely online.
Edward’s aunt, speaking emotionally about the tragedy, said the attack took place at the home of his mother. “We are so saddened. We are so depressed. We are so hurt for that to happen to him,” she said.
She recalled hearing the gunshots from her nearby home. “I did not realise it was him. It’s when I heard his name – people screaming ‘Darnal, Darnal’ – that we realised it was him they shot.”
According to the aunt, the gunman entered the balcony of the home and opened fire, killing Edward, who was described as quiet, respectful and well-liked.
“Nobody has a problem with him. Nobody cannot say anything bad about that man,” she said. “Darnal doesn’t have a long conversation with nobody. So, I cannot and will not understand why somebody would want to hurt Darnal that way.”
She added that Edward was the only son of his mother and had recently become a father. “He has a four-month-old baby which he loves so much,” she said, noting that the family is leaning on faith in the wake of the tragedy. “We leave everything for God and God will take control.”
The killing has sent shockwaves through the quiet community in Monchy. “Fifty-one years I’ve been here, and that’s the first time this has ever happened in this community,” the aunt said.
The RSLPF says no resources will be spared in pursuing those responsible. “We encourage anyone with information that could assist in resolving these or any other outstanding criminal matters to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 456-3754, the crime hotline at 555, or provide tips through the mobile app,” the police said in a statement.
