McIntosh murder ‘disturbing’, says senior police officer

A member of the top brass of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has expressed concern over a “disturbing” murder that took place in Arnos Vale on Friday September 29.

The shooting death of Charles McIntosh took place around 10:40 pm, while he was walking towards his home.

In an interview on Hot 97 on Thursday November 30, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey said the police are yet to determine a motive for this killing.

ACP Bailey admitted on Thursday that “the vast majority of the killings were between rival fractions, and there were some spilloffs.”

CHARLES MCINTOSH (deceased)

He however indicated that there were “one or two murders” which had no direct link with warring gangs.

Among the one or two, was the killing of McIntosh in Arnos Vale.

The death of the 74-year-old man was recorded as the 41st homicide in St Vincent and the Grenadines for 2023.

SEARCHLIGHT reported on September 30 that Prime Minister Gonsalves attributed Mc Intosh’s death to the action of “a crazed animal.”

The senior citizen was shot and killed in the driveway of his Arnos Vale home.

He was a former supervisor of the Sol Gas Station, located a short distance away from his home.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT, Dr Gonsalves further described the killing as a “beastly murder.”

On Thursday, ACP Bailey said this murder “is concerning to us.”

He added that as investigators, they have not yet “been able to determine a motive for this killing.”

“That murder is disturbing. Not only to us as law enforcement; but to St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

With the homicide rate for 2023 already exceeding that for 2022, ACP Bailey admitted that “we have a problem in St Vincent and the Grenadines, when it comes to murders and gun related offences.”

The top cop said they do not want citizens to become alarmed “that people are being shot randomly.”

He also attributed some of the killings to our young men, saying that “they have not placed any value on life.”

“Their life, other peoples life and they are just…portraying gangsterism lifestyle.”

ACP Bailey suggested that these elements are trying to bring that lifestyle to St Vincent and the

Grenadines, and that “it is disturbing our peace.”

Although the murder rate is climbing, ACP Bailey said the police are in control.

“There would never be a day when the bandits would lay claim to any turf. We will not allow that to happen.”

At present, the RSVGPF is working out the details of a gun amnesty which will be put in place.

ACP Bailey said two weeks ago, four firearms were handed over to the police by a “questionable character.”