Gruesome Killing Stuns Gros Islet Residents

Residents from Gros Islet were still in shock, up to late yesterday (Tuesday) following the gruesome killing of Frank Constantine, known as “Shaka B”, or “Bumpy”, a resident of the area.

Constantine, 59 was reportedly stabbed multiple times early Monday morning and the ghastly revelation brought an eerie chill to the northerly-based town.

Reports state the body of a male was discovered on Monday, about 8.00 a.m. floating in the sea at Rodney Bay. The body was fished out of the water before the police arrived on the scene to investigate the matter.

Law enforcement officers from the Police Marine Unit visited the scene at about 9.15 a.m., in response to a report of a suspicious death at the Rodney Bay Marina.

After recovering the lifeless body of Constantine, at the location, the deceased was examined by a pathologist who revealed that there were apparent stab wounds about the body.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled for a subsequent date.

Friends and acquaintances all spoke fondly of “Shaka B” as he was more popularly known, and of how “we will miss him so much”.

Constantine was a well-known car washer in the community, who went about his daily chores pushing his home-made cart stocked with buckets of water to ply his trade for his many clients.

“Chaka B” was a ‘big karaoke’ fan and performer at different nightly venues in the town, but would be always singing and chanting his original selections. He was a humorous character, at times, and on occasions would entertain the street crowd with his ‘one-string’ guitar as he sang one of his originals.

“Chaka B” had also got the recognition of appearing in a documentary on the Gros Islet Street Party for a visiting independent film crew with some of his ‘musical colleagues’. He was also featured in an NTN documentary, performing at Gros Islet with a group of drummers (musicians) in a live open-air session.

However, the sequence of events leading to Constantine’s death is still under investigations, as law enforcement officers and residents try to unravel the circumstances of this murderous act.

According to an eye-witness account, the man was believed to have been slain at his house, a distance away from the Gros Islet fishing complex and the body was then thrown into the sea. The body reportedly washed-up metres away from the Pearl cruise ship dock at the lower end of the Rodney Bay Marina.

Unresponsive Body

Meanwhile, reports indicate that following a lull in the spate of criminal activities resulting in homicides, the crime scene has exacerbated again for the month of February.

Police reported that on Monday, at about 9.45 a.m., officers attached to the Richfond Police Station proceeded to the La Resource junction after being alerted to the sounds of apparent gunshots.

On arrival officers observed the unresponsive body of a male identified as 40 – year – old Candy Tisson of Gadette, Dennery. A second male sustained injuries during the shooting and was conveyed to a medical facility for treatment.

Police Fatally Shoots 22 – Year – Old

In another incident, last Saturday, about 1:00 a.m., a joint team of officers attached to the Laborie Police Station, Special Services Unit and Scenes of Crime Office responded to a shooting that occurred along the Laborie Highway.

Following an ensuing altercation between officers and a young male, it is reported that Erick Thomas, 22 of Eucalyptus Avenue, Laborie was shot and killed by the police. Three other males were also injured during the shooting.

Reports state that, at the scene, officers reportedly attempted to disarm the young male in possession of a firearm, and in the process he proceeded to assault an officer with the firearm, causing injury to his head.

The officers reportedly pursued Thomas outside the establishment where he discharged rounds of ammunition in their direction.

Police say that during the incident, the man sustained fatal injuries.