Gun Violence Causes New Concern
A Vieux Fort man is the island’s latest shooting victim as the homicide count for the year for the year reaches 42.
Police reports state that Vijay Roberts of Augier, was shot about 9.00 p.m on Sunday.
Police also say an individual is in custody in connection with this latest fatal shooting as they continue their investigations. It is reported that Roberts had been involved in a physical confrontation with another man.
At a press conference, on Monday, Superintendent George Nicholas confirmed that on Sunday at about 9.00 p.m officers from the Vieux Fort police station went to the scene of the crime where Roberts is said to have sustained a gunshot wound to the body.
The victim was transported to St Jude Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Over the past weeks, there has a spate of gun violence across the island resulting in the loss of life. This has been mainly within Central Castries where there was an upsurge in shootings that allegedly claimed the lives of three young males in the course of a weekend.
Police Commissioner Severin Moncherry stated that lawmen will leave no stone unturned in their quest to resolve these matters.
Moncherry added that though the criminals have become more brazen and even resort to making threats to police officers, the police will continue to take the fight to them.
He issued a stern warning to perpetrators that as the lawmen move to implement their ‘war on crime’ strategies, it may result in a level of “collateral damage.”
Meanwhile, amidst the spate of gun violence law officers have taken steps to get illegal guns off the streets, arresting persons that fall foul of the law with illegal firearms in their possession.
In the latest incident, police lodged charges against two Dennery men in connection with the discovery of a pistol and ammunition.
On Monday, police reported that Lester Eugene, also known as ‘Circle’ of La Pointe, Dennery, and Lencius St. Juste of Derniere Riviere, Dennery were both arrested and charged for the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition after they were busted last Thursday at about 11:50 p.m.
Police said the two were granted bail in the sum of $10,000 for the possession of the firearm charges and $5,000 for the possession of ammunition charges.
Meanwhile, police also report that individuals from the Dennery community were also apprehended in connection with the seizure of a quantity of drugs, but no charges have yet been preferred against anyone.