CASTRIES – Prime Minister Allen Chastanet appealed to young people to move away from gang violence after the island recorded four murders in two separate incidents over the past 48 hours.
Police launched an investigation on Monday into the murders of two men from the east coast village of Dennery in the second double homicide within a 24-hour period.
“Really, for the young people, there is a better way to look forward and we certainly are appealing to you to embrace the opportunities being created in the country and to stop the unnecessary killings,” Chastanet said in a post on his Facebook page, as he emerged from a period of isolation following his visit to the United States last week.
The police have identified the latest victims as Daniel Prospere, 19, alias “Cesario” and Thomas Florent, 28, alias “Cole”.
Investigators said several gunmen fired upon the two men, who died at the scene.
The shootings followed Sunday night’s double murders in the southern village of Jackmel in a drive-by shooting.
Police have identified the two victims as Jason Polius, 25, and Tysha Raphael, 24. One other person had been injured in the shootings.
A relative of Raphael told the online publication, St. Lucia Times that she had gone to a nearby bakery when she was shot. She died at the scene.
In his statement, Chastanet said he wanted to appeal to young people involved in gangs that the island is prospering and “there is a better way and a better living”.
He said he was particularly hurt by the Raphael’s death because “to have a young person who is innocently shot is something that is horrific and really unacceptable”.
“I am appealing to them to look for a better way to make a contribution to our country,” Chastanet said, commending the police for their efforts to reduce the crime situation.
He said that law enforcement authorities have made several arrests and recently seized guns and ammunition, but he gave no indication whether those arrests were linked to the latest killings here.
“The new K-9 dogs we have are working fantastic,” he said. “We are continuing to strengthen our police so that they could do a better job in protecting all of us.”
(CMC)
