According to official reports, The Major Crimes Unit of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), has made a breakthrough in its investigation into the homicide of 27-year-old Cresean Biscombe who was shot and killed on Monday 19th January 2026 at La Clery, Castries. On Saturday 24th January 2026, Javier Cleveland Bailey, also known as JA, a Jamaican national, was arrested in connection with this matter. He was formally charged on Tuesday, 27th January 2026 with the offense of capital murder. Bailey appeared before the First District Court on Wednesday 28th January 2026, where he was remanded in custody. Meanwhile, another suspect who was arrested on Monday 26th January 2026 remains in police custody, assisting with investigations. The investigation is expected to continue into this matter as The Major Crimes unit explore information that may lead to the apprehension of other assailants.
There has also been a major development in the investigation into the homicide of 13-year-old Melchizedek Gilbert Tixcy, who was shot and killed on 31st July 2024 at his residence in Blanchard Micoud. The Major Crimes Unit has formally charged the second suspect in this case, who had been on the run for nearly two years, according to Superintendent in Charge of the Southern division, Stephen Victorin.
Victorin revealed that on the 8th of August 2024, Makalay Simon of Blanchard Desruisseaux was arrested and charged with the offense of murder committed on Melchizedek Gilbert Tixcy. Makaylay Simon was later presented before the Second District Court at Vieux Fort for arraignment. He was remanded in custody at the Borderlais Correctional Facility. “A second male suspect, Merkyle Cooper, a 20-year-old male of Desruisseaux, Micoud who had fled the state after the incident, was recently apprehended on the island of Dominica for possession of controlled drugs. Through inter agency cooperation, Merkyle Cooper has been in local police custody from Thursday 22nd January 2026.” On Monday 25th January 2026, Cooper was charged with the offense of murder. On Tuesday 26th January 2026, Cooper was arraigned before the Second District Court and was remanded in custody at the Borderlais Correctional Facility.
The gun amnesty, which began on Monday 19th January, came to an end on Wednesday 28th, January 2026. The initiative was aimed at reducing the widespread availability and use of illegal firearms and ammunition in local communities. The initiative formed part of the “127 steps to order”, a comprehensive action plan by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. The results of the (just concluded) initiative were not readily available, however the RSLPF has indicated that details will be laid out at the RSLPF’s next press conference on Thursday 5th February 2026. Commissioner of Police Verne Garde is also expected to announce more aggressive measures to remove illegal firearms and ammunition from the streets, dubbed “Operation Clean Sweep” at that press conference.
The Police Marine Unit (PMU) has concluded a small unit Tactical Operations course conducted from Monday 26th January to Wednesday, 28th January in collaboration with the Florida National Guard. The three-day training program brought together members of the PMU and instructors from the Florida National Guard to share expertise and best practices across maritime and land-based operations. During the exchange, officers of the PMU demonstrated their small boat tactical operations, highlighting procedures used in maritime patrols, interdiction and coordinated vessel maneuvers. The Florida National Guard’s training team, for its part, delivered instruction on room clearance techniques and vehicle checkpoint operations, emphasizing discipline, communication and structured tactical movement. The training featured practical scenario-based exercises designed to enhance decision making, teamwork and operational readiness. Command representatives from the PMU and the Florida National Guard underscored the value of joint training and strengthening professionalism and fostering continued cooperation between partner agencies.