As the new year begins, law enforcement must address a disturbing trend, with five homicide incidents reported so far this year.
Currently, police are investigating two separate homicide cases that occurred last week across the island. The most recent incident involved the shooting of a security officer on Monday.
The victim, identified as 27-year-old Ceasar Bascombe, was on duty when he was shot during an armed robbery at Falcon Supermarket, previously known as Windtrades.
This incident took place shortly after noon, prompting police to cordon off the area as investigations began.
Witnesses reported hearing at least two gunshots before four men fled the scene in two different directions.
A resident who knew Bascombe described him as “a kind and very gentle individual” and expressed a strong desire for those responsible to be brought to justice. As of now, no arrests have been made, and further details are pending.
On Saturday, January 17, at approximately 11:30 a.m., officers from the Micoud Police Station responded to a report of a shooting at La Teille, Micoud.
Initial investigations confirm that Jean Marie Joseph, a 58-year-old male from La Tille, was shot and pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner.
The investigation is ongoing, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for a later date.
Additionally, on Thursday, January 15, around 10:00 a.m., officers from the Criminal Investigations Department responded to a report of a stabbing at Carl Crescent Street.
Leeval Albert, a 25-year-old male from Soufriere, sustained a stab wound. He was attended to by the Saint Lucia Fire Service and transported to the Owen King European Hospital (OKEU) via ambulance, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations are actively continuing, and a post-mortem examination will occur at a later date.
Officers responded to the scene and investigations into the matter are ongoing. No arrests have been announced at this time. Further details are expected as information becomes available.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force [RSLPF] urges anyone with information regarding these incidents or any other criminal activity to come forward and contact the Soufriere Police Station at 456-3620, the Criminal Investigations Department at 456-3770, or report anonymously through the Crime Hotline at 555 or the Crime Hotline app.
Additionally, police report a fatal vehicular collision that occurred on Sunday, January 18, along the Vieux Fort/Laborie highway.
At approximately 7:10 p.m., personnel from the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigations responded to the scene, where preliminary findings indicate that a collision took place between an omnibus and a motor car. A total of nine individuals sustained injuries and were transported to St. Jude’s Hospital via ambulance.
Viclann Javier Joseph, a 28-year-old from Cedar Heights, Vieux Fort, the driver of the motor car, was pronounced dead by a medical practitioner. The post-mortem examination is scheduled for a later date.
The RSLPF advises all motorists to exercise extreme caution while commuting and to strictly adhere to laws regulating vehicle operations and road usage.