CMC – Police Commissioner in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Colin John, says the country remains a very safe place despite the spate of shootings, including Wednesday night’s murder of five people in the capital, Kingstown.
“The public is reassured that despite the regrettable spate of violence that we are currently experiencing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, SVG is still a safe place. We have one week ago concluded a successful, enjoyable and generally adverse-incident-free Vincymas. Thousands of people enjoyed the Carnival and had fun in a safe environment,” John said in a statement.
“The serious crimes that are being committed are by and large committed by a very small group of people against others of the same ilk. We advised persons to settle their differences in a more mature, civilised and amicable manner. Also, we strongly advocate that persons respect the rights to life of each other.
“The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is embarking on new methods of policing while utilising the tried and tested police practices. We coveted your continued cooperation and support in this venture to make all of us safe,” the Police Commissioner said, confirming that five people died as a result of the shooting near the Harbour Club area, located to the eastern end of the city.
“The police processed the scene and are carrying out further investigations into these shooting and other offences,” the police statement said.
“The members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force wish to express condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased persons in ….(Wednesday’s) shooting and other victims of homicides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said the statement, issued during the early hours of Thursday.
“We are also asking anyone with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of persons who have committed these crimes and other crimes to provide the police with such information,” the statement added, noting that persons can provide the information by phone “or any police officer who you are comfortable communicating with.
“Be assured that the information would be held to the strictest of confidence. Additionally, there are laws in place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to give evidence without their identity being revealed. This can be done by virtue of The Witness Special Measure Act.”
Following Wednesday night’s mass shooting, reports began circulating on social media and some online media outlets of shootings in other parts of the country.
But the police said that these reports were all false.
“There is also information being circulated of other shooting incidents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This information was checked out and found to be false. There was no shooting in Ottley Hall, Campden Park, Fairbane Pasture or any other part in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Persons are advised to stop spreading and circulating false information,” the Police Commissioner said.
Wednesday night’s mass shootings take the murder toll so far this year to 35, seven shy of last year’s record killings of 42.
The country has recorded seven killings since Tuesday, including the shooting death of Kemon Roberts, 28, who was shot multiple times in the head while walking to work in Golden Vale.
Police are also investigating the murder of Kingsley “Crime” Shallow, 29, who was shot and killed in Montaque, Mesopotamia on Tuesday night.
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