(CMR) Saint Lucia police have confirmed that three people died and five others, including an off-duty police officer, sustained injuries when unknown assailants opened fire on a group of people at Coolie Town, Marigot, on Sunday night.
Those who died have been identified as Versia Alexander (46), Tamara Edmund (27) and Kervin Joseph.
Officers responded to the Coolie Town shooting report about 8:30 pm and said that initial reports indicate the incident involved more than one assailant, the St Lucia Times reported.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) said the organization would be providing psycho-social support to those affected, including responding law enforcement officers.
Deputy Police Commissioner Wayne Charlery said there’s a plan to prevent any further escalation in gun violence.
“We are now relying heavily on the Marigot Community to give us the necessary support so what we can restore a semblance of a safe community in Marigot by limiting the ability of the criminals to operate and the opportunities available to them,” Charlery disclosed.
According to The Times, Police Commissioner Milton Desir noted that despite the Coolie Town incident, there has been constant police action to bring about crime reduction.
He revealed that during 2021, officers recorded 9 990 hours of overt foot and mobile patrols in addition to 41 970 hours of covert patrols.
According to Desir, police seized about eighty illegal firearms last year and over 100 in 2020.
“We are aware of the continued incidents of violence, and thus far, we have been able to recover 13 illegal firearms and charged persons in connection with the seizures,” the Police Commissioner said at a news conference.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
