Federation records 26th homicide
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST hours after hosting a candlelight vigil for one of its villagers, the Buckley’s Estate community was plunged further into mourning as another of its members was gunned down in cold blood.
The deceased, Leon ‘Machine’ Thompson (34), was – according to reports – at the Ground Zero Bar at about 10:30 PM last evening (Aug. 17) when a gunman pointed his weapon into the bar and opened fire.
Reports reaching this publication indicate that two individuals were injured during the incident; Mark ‘Chimu’ Phillip, 36, – who is also of Buckley’s Estate – was the other.
Further reports suggest that while Thompson was injured on the scene, Phillip was injured while making an attempt to escape the gunman’s wrath.
Phillip, according to the Police’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Stephen Hector, sustained injuries to his chest and, this media house learnt that after being shot, he ran to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
When SKNVibes arrived on the scene, a lifeless body was observed on the floor of the bar, draped with a white sheet, and the area cordoned and secured by armed security personnel.
District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. Mervin Laws was summoned to the scene and pronounced Thompson dead, after which permission was sought from and granted by the Coroner to have his body removed.
Persons – whom this publication understands to be Thompson’s relatives, were brought to the scene to identify the remains before they were removed by Jenkins Funeral Home.
Thompson’s marks the third homicide to have taken place in the Buckley’s area in as many months, the most recent being that of 27-year-old David ‘Dibaloo’ Thomas which transpired just four days ago (Aug. 14).
Interestingly, just hours before Thompson met his demise, Thomas’ friends and relatives had gathered just outside Ground Zero Bar to participate in a candlelight vigil in his remembrance which culminated at the spot where he was executed.
With the recent upsurge in gun-related activity, residents of the area expressed deep concern that their community is no longer safe and have made calls for the situation to be speedily addressed for the sake of their lives.
Thompson is the Federation’s 26th homicide victim for the year.
