THREE people were fatally shot in Vieux Fort in two separate incidents within a week pushing the murder rate in the country to worrying heights.
The homicides committed over the past week (October 20 to 27), raises concerns about the escalation of gun violence that has been plaguing the community.
The latest incident that occurred on Thursday, a double homicide that occurred on Bridge Street, Vieux Fort resulting in the deaths of two males.
Police reports state that about 9.09 pm officers visited the scene of the crime where they discovered the body of Jimmy Henry on the roadside, lying on his back with penetrating wounds to his chest, left shoulder, pelvis and his right ankle. Henry was a resident of Bridge Street, Vieux Fort.
The officers identified the other individual as Carlisle Louisy alias “Ohms” also of Bridge Street, whose body was found in a sittting position in a chair in the veranda of a house nearby. He had what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the left side of his face.
First responders from from the Saint Lucia Fire Service transported the victims to a medical facility where they were pronounced dead by a Medical Practitioner.
Louisy was a well-known former school teacher and past student of the St. Mary’s College (SMC).
Last Friday, about 8:30pm, officers were called out to investigate a shooting that occurred on Bridge Street, claiming the life Tyron Fontenelle.
The officers later proceeded to a medical facility where they assessed a male individual with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his right inner thigh area.
It is reported that an unknown person in a car shot at Fontenelle, hitting him in the thigh and he was escorted to the hospital via private vehicle. He was later reported to have succumbed to the injuries that resulted in his death.
Scenes of Crime Officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force processed the area and one spent 9mm shell was recovered.
Investigations into this matter are ongoing.
Earlier, this year, in a continued attempt to curb the killings that have been hampering the daily life of residents in the Vieux Fort community Prime Minister Philip J Pierre sought the assistance of the Regional Security System [RSS] to help tackle the situation.
Despite the best efforts of the combined operations involving regional security officers and the local police contingent there was a lull in criminal activity in the southern district, but in the recent weeks, it appears that the gun violence has resurfaced.
Reports indicate that these latest fatal shootings have plunged the community into a state of dispair, invoking a sense of shock and grief among the residents.
Meanwhile, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is pleading to anyone who may have information to come forward. Anonymous tips can also be provided at the number 555.