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Fatal Shootings, drowning Mar Whitsuntide Holiday Weekend

By Reginald Andrew

  • The Whitsuntide holiday weekend was marred by more gun violence and a drowning incident in Saint Lucia.
  • Francis Caldric Leonce, 58, was shot and killed through his bedroom window in Massade, Gros Islet.
  • Gundolf Adonis, 49, was shot multiple times by a lone gunman in Riverside Road, Castries and later died at the hospital.
  • Selva Donatien, 25, drowned at the Gros Islet beach while trying to retrieve a ball.
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A relatively calm Whitsuntide holiday weekend was unfortunately marred by more gun violence resulting in at least two separate homicide incidents. This latest incident has taken the island’s homicide count to 35.

On Sunday, in the wee hours of the morning at about 4.00 a.m., residents in the Massade area, Gros Islet were alerted to the sounds of gun fire that occurred some distance away from the Gros Islet Primary school compound.

Residents, including this reporter, were disturbed to hear about five, gun shots ringing out in the early morning. In the aftermath, reports state that one man was shot and killed.

Police later identified the deceased as 58-year-old, Francis Caldric Leonce of Massy Street, Massade, Gros Islet. The deceased is popularly known as ‘Cowdrey’. He had been affected with a health condition and walked about with a limp from a probable stroke ailment. His speech was slightly slurred.

According to police a report of a shooting was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Gros Islet Police Station, about 6:15 a.m. on Sunday May 28, 2023.

Leonce was later pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner. A post mortem examination is scheduled for a subsequent date.

Reports indicate that the shooter/s shot through Leonce’s bedroom window. The body was later found with apparent penetrating wounds.

Incidentally, the Gros Islet Police Station is temporarily located at the Gros Islet Human Resource Centre, within the vicinity of the area, but reports state the police were not aware of the incident at the time of its occurrence.

Meanwhile, last Saturday, it was reported that a male individual in his forties was shot multiple times at Riverside Road, Castries.

According to eyewitnesses, a lone gunman approached the victim and opened fire in his direction, hitting him multiple times.

A report of the shooting was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department, Castries about 1:50 p.m. on Saturday May 27, 2023.

On arrival on the scene Officers were informed that the victim was transported to the Owen King European Union Hospital (OKEUH) via an ambulance.  The victim was later identified as 49-year-old Gundolf Adonis alias Tupac of Pavee, Castries.

On Sunday May 28, 2023 Police Officers were informed by a medical practitioner that Gundolf Adonis succumbed to his injuries.

A post mortem examination is scheduled for a later date.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force wishes to urge anyone with information regarding the above-mentioned incidents to contact the nearest police station or the Criminal Investigations Department at 456-3770, 456-3817 or the Crime Hotline at 555 for anonymous reporting.

In other matters, on Sunday, a man in his thirties reportedly drowned at the Gros Islet beach, adjacent to Dukes Places.

Reports state that the man went out to retrieve a ball, but drifted off before getting back to shore and drowned.

The man has been identified as 25-year- old Selva Donatien of Nortre Dame Street, Gros Islet.

A report of a suspected drowning was referred to the Gros Islet Police Station, about 8:05 a.m. on Sunday May 28, 2023.

On arrival at the scene Officers were informed that Donatien was transported to the Gros Islet Policlinic via ambulance. He was later pronounced dead by a medical practitioner.

A post mortem examination is scheduled for a later date.

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