‘Intel’ points to possibility of reprisal shootings – COP

by Christina Smith

The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) confirmed yesterday that they have received “intel” about possible reprisal killings coming out of the mass shooting on Wednesday which left five dead. They will therefore be directing their resources towards ensuring that the country’s murder rate does not exceed the current 35.

Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel (front, left) with Commissioner of Police Colin John (front, centre) and other high ranking police officers at a press briefing at Cabinet Room on Thursday, called to discuss the mass shooting Wednesday night in Kingstown

It was a bloody week in St Vincent and the Grenadines with seven more names being added to the list of gun-related murders.

On Tuesday, July 18, 28-year-old, Kemon Roberts also known as “Bigga” and “Shaka” was walking to work at a nearby seafood facility when he was shot multiple times in the head by a lone masked gunman in the vicinity of Calliaqua Anglican Church. Later that day, around 9:40 pm, Kingsley “Crime” Shallow, a Mesopotamia man was shot and killed while he was walking along the Montaque public road.

Almost 24 hours later, around 8 pm on Wednesday July 19, Lamont ‘Dutchy’ Hector of Paul’s Avenue, who was shot back in 2020; D’ondre Hillocks of Long Wall and Belmont; Jamal ‘Dutty’ Bobb of Ottley Hall, who was a person of interest in an attempted murder in 2019; Rickie Taylor of Long Wall; and Kashie Primus of Rockies, a 14-year-old student of Intermediate High School, were gunned down in a hail of bullets while liming in the Harbour Club area of Kingstown, a popular spot for gambling.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that a vehicle entered the area leading to the Grenadines wharf, made a full turn and drove back to where the men were gathered. Three passengers exited the vehicle, two carrying assault rifles and one with a handgun.

According to our source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, when those in the area saw the weapons, they ran in different directions.

The men opened fire hitting seven people. After the initial hail of bullets, one of the men armed with an assault rifle reportedly approached Hector and opened fire on his body.

The third man with the hand gun then went to each of the victims and fired a bullet into each person’s head.

Of the seven injured, four died at the scene, one died in hospital, one is currently warded with critical injuries and the other was grazed by a bullet.

Reports of shootings in other communities, following the mass shootings, were dismissed by police.

At a press conference at Cabinet room on Thursday, July 20 which included the police top brass, the Attorney General and the Acting Prime Minister, Montgomery Daniel, COP John said police have determined that some of the murders occurring recently are “linked to each other”.

He said that police intelligence has revealed that some gun-related killings are also linked to a 2014 drug deal where “some drug transaction went wrong and then persons who were friends became foes and it has continued up to today”, emphasizing that the country is a “safe place” and these killings are localized to a particular group of persons.

“Some persons who were killed last night we have spoken to them before and that would have assisted with preserving their lives up to last night based on proactive policing.”

He confirmed the calibre of weapon used in Wednesday’s shooting was an assault rifle, adding that he does not consider it a foul-up that shell casings were left at the scene and collected by members of the public.

Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel said law enforcement and border patrols are on “high alert” and police will “follow the facts wherever they lead” in the resolution of these crimes.

Attorney General and the Acting Prime Minister, Montgomery Daniel, COP John said police have determined that some of the murders occurring recently are “linked to each other”.

He said that police intelligence has revealed that some gun-related killings are also linked to a 2014 drug deal where “some drug transaction went wrong and then persons who were friends became foes and it has continued up to today”, emphasizing that the country is a “safe place” and these killings are localized to a particular group of persons.

“Some persons who were killed last night we have spoken to them before and that would have assisted with preserving their lives up to last night based on proactive policing.”

He confirmed the calibre of weapon used in Wednesday’s shooting was an assault rifle, adding that he does not consider it a foul-up that shell casings were left at the scene and collected by members of the public.

Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel said law enforcement and border patrols are on “high alert” and police will “follow the facts wherever they lead” in the resolution of these crimes.