BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ON behalf of the Team Unity Government, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has condemned the senseless shooting-death of 28-year-old Morella Webbe and injuries to her friend, 34-year-old Sonia Grant.
“My Government condemns this abhorrent, barbaric act and implores those with any information to contact the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force directly, indirectly or anonymously, to ensure that justice is meted out swiftly for the sake of the victims, their families and loved ones, as well as for the safety and security of us all.”
At about 3:45 a.m. yesterday (Apr. 17), while Webbe and Grant (following a night out) were seated in a parked car in proximity of their Cotton Ground home in Nevis, an assailant or assailants reportedly fired a volley of shots in their direction.
Both women sustained injuries and were transported to the Alexandra Hospital, where Webbe was pronounced dead and Grant remains warded.
The vehicle, which was reportedly driven by Webbe, bears multiple gunshot strikes and suggests that an automatic firearm was used in the commission of this heinous crime.
Investigations into this incident are ongoing and police on Nevis are seeking the public’s assistance in bringing the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.
In a release issued by his Press Secretary, PM Harris made reference to the religious symbolism of the day on which the incident took place.
“On Easter Sunday the nation remembered Jesus’ resurrection, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil, death and sin. Easter, the most significant holiday on the Christian calendar, marks the end of Holy Week and the end of Lent, a special time of prayer, fasting, good works and sacrifice.
“In shocking contrast with the values espoused during this season of reverence, an abominable attack on two women occurred in Cotton Ground, Nevis yesterday morning. The vehicle they were driving in was shot at multiple times, resulting in the senseless, tragic death of one (28-year-old Morella Webbe) and injuries sustained by the other (34-year-old Sonia Grant).”
The Federation’s Political Leader stated that this heinous incident serves as a lurid reminder that “we all need to band together and look out for one another to stamp out the scourge of crime. Yesterday, crime affected other people, but today or tomorrow it can impact upon any one of us”.
Dr. Harris extended sympathies to the families and loved ones who are currently in grief and gave his assurance that justice would be served.
He also called on the citizens and residents to support each other as well as the security forces in the fight against crime.
“My fellow citizens and residents, my Government encourages you to stand up for your neighbours and community members. It is also incumbent on the nation to stand with our law and security officers because they stand up for us each and every day on the frontlines in the war on crime.
“This is not a fight that we intend to lose. With God’s help, we will do mighty things, to include taking our society back and making it the best place for people to work, live, vacation and invest, and from this goal we will not waver.”
Morella Webbe’s death has taken to seven the number of homicides committed in the Federation for this year; three on Nevis and four on St. Kitts.
The first homicide was that of Leon Gumbs, whose partly decomposed body was discovered by police in his Cotton Ground home on Sunday, January 29; while the second victim was 39-year-old Venezuelan national Luis Garcia, who was shot to death at Manchester Avenue in Newtown on Wednesday, February 1.
Fifty-four-year-old Ashton Christopher of Taylor’s Village was the third homicide victim. He was stabbed in that village on Friday, March 10 and succumbed on the same night at the Jnf Hospital.
The fourth victim was Ashanafi Saddler (15) of Janet Alley in McKnight, who was pronounced dead at the JNF Hospital after being stabbed by his elder brother on Saturday, March 25.
On the following day (Mar. 26), 23-year-old Randell Chapman of Rawlins Village was gunned down by two masked assailants while viewing a cricket match at the Cotton Ground Playfield; and the sixth homicide victim was Akeem ‘Ratty’ Bryan of Newton Ground, who was shot in that village by an unknown assailant or assailants on the evening of Tuesday, March 28.
