Gun Violence Claims Three Lives This Week

Gun violence is not new to Saint Lucia, however this week it went to a new high when three persons were shot dead pushing the homicide rate past 30 for the year, a situation that is becoming unsustainable.

So widespread has gunplay become in the country that police have been moved to suspend the firearm licenses of three legal male gun owners as they investigate reports that the three fired their weapons indiscriminately in public.

According to police, their action arose out of an alleged incident earlier this month at Bois D’orange where it was alleged that bullets from the guns hit a private residence.

This week, the gun-play went several notches higher taking lives and causing unnecessary pain and anguish to relatives and friends of those who died and stretching the resources of police to their limit.

On Monday shortly after sunrise Dennery resident, Danny Severin, was shot multiple times sustaining wounds to the head, abdomen, and arm. The incident took place at La Caye, Dennery at about 6.40 am. Severin succumbed to his injuries in the evening of that same day.

Fire Officer Stacy Joseph said officers at the Dennery Fire Station responded to the call of a shooting incident at La Caye where they discovered Severin lying in the back of a car with what appear to be multiple penetrative wounds to his body.

Then on Tuesday 28-year-old Cleus Alfred of Ravine Macock, Gros Islet was found shot dead at Trouya, Gros Islet.

On Thursday morning news of a shooting incident at Pavee, Castries began spreading stating that one man was dead as a result. Police have since identified the deceased as Jade Roserie, 28. According to a resident, Roserie collapsed on the steps of a nearby house after he was shot from where an ambulance took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, a City Gate resident was charged Thursday for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. The man has been identified as Kursom Maxius who was held during a police-led operation in the town of Gros Islet, Tuesday. Maxius, 27, was arrested for possession of a .38 special revolver and four rounds of ammunition. He was remanded in custody until October 14, 2020.

With respect to the suspension of the firearm licenses, it was done under Chapter 14.12 of the Firearms Act Revised Edition which states that:

1)   A person shall not discharge any firearm or ammunition within 100 yards of any public road or in any public place except—

(a)     In the protection of his or her person or property or the person or property of another person;

(b)     Under the direction of a civil or military authority authorised to give such direction;

(c)     With the permission of the appropriate authority.

(2)   A person shall not discharge a firearm or ammunition within 100 yards of a dwelling house or discharge a firearm or ammunition to the damage or danger of any person in a dwelling house except—

(a)     In the protection of his or her person or property or the person or property or another person;

(b)    Under the direction of a civil or military authority authorised to give such direction;

(c)     With the permission of the appropriate authority.

(3)   Where a contravention of subsection (1) occurs, a police officer may without warrant enter any premises on which he or she has reasonable cause to believe such contravention was committed and seize any firearm or ammunition found which he or she has reasonable cause to believe was used in such contravention and may retain such firearm or ammunition for the purpose of any investigation or legal proceedings, until such investigation or legal proceedings are concluded.