Saint Lucia is rapidly gaining a reputation as a violent country registering four, gun related killings this week – a ratio of six killings per month, a mathematical equation many Saint Lucians are not happy with, and one which law enforcers are grappling to contain.
This week’s violence began Tuesday morning with the shooting death of 37-year-old nurse Keziah Wilson on her way home from working the night shift.
Her death sparked outrage as Saint Lucians took to social media to condemn the act. Both the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs denounced the shooting.
Nurse Wilson was employed at The Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) as a Staff Nurse and assigned to the Special Care Baby Unit.
“Her untimely death has not only affected the nursing fraternity but also the medical fraternity and the support and administrative staff of MHMC,” noted the Ministry, which has since provided psychological support to any one in need of it who are shaken by Wilson’s death.
“Debriefing sessions commenced on Tuesday and is ongoing for the staff of MHMC. One on one counselling sessions will be provided for persons who require more in-depth intervention,” the Ministry stated.
A virtual vigil led by St Lucia Nurses Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the General Nursing Council was supposed to be held last night.
The Ministry of Health added that it will continue to assess the situation and provide any additional psychological support required to assist nurses and immediate family members of Wilson who are having problems coping with her death.
The SLMDA stated that Wilson exemplified sacrifice and dedication to the nursing profession.
“She was a passionate and selfless caregiver who earned the respect and admiration of all colleagues and patients. We the members of the healthcare fraternity have been plunged into mourning because of her violent and untimely death. Saint Lucia has truly lost an unsung hero,” stated the SLMDA, adding that it will continue to advocate for a robust national policy on crime prevention.
Then on Wednesday, a man identified as Lee Alexander, 30 was shot and killed outside the Spanish Bar, in Gros Islet, about 2:20am.
On Thursday at about 8.00p.m., a young man named ‘Giovanni’ was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting along the La Clery road, lower down the community’s Roman Catholic Church. Reports state that a vehicle containing a group of gunmen, opened fire on the young man in ‘gang-man style’, and he was shot multiple times.
Police yesterday stated that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 39-year-old, Olson Arthur of Gros Islet. According to police a report of a shooting was referred to the Gros Islet Police Station, about 12:45 a.m. on Friday, November, 25. The victim who allegedly sustained gunshot injuries was conveyed to the OKEU Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical practitioner. A postmortem examination is scheduled for a subsequent date.
Last month, Prime Minister Phillip Pierre, who also holds the National Security portfolio, berated the frequency of murders on the island saying, “There ought not to be one murder.”
In recent times, the increasing murder rate in the country has become a ‘worrisome’ factor for the authorities and a ‘burdensome’ matter for law enforcement officers, besieged by limitations and inadequate resources to enable them to fully execute their duties.
According to reports, for 2021, the island experienced another record-breaking year, confirming 75 homicides.
PM Pierre reiterated the need for more ‘conflict resolution’ measures to deal with disputes and disagreements among individuals.
He noted that while some of these incidents can be labelled as ‘crimes of passion’, nevertheless the majority of these killings result from “those involved in Gangs etc…and this is what we have to work on; that is the social level and the law enforcement level.”