BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis today (Oct. 20) has recorded its 32nd homicide for the year with the shooting-death of Ashton ‘Tuba’ Williams of Pitcairn Street, Newtown.
On arrival at the scene, SKNVibes observed the motionless body of Williams sprawled on the sidewalk in front of his relative’s business entity, Williams Auto Rental, at the junction of Pitcairn Street and Mad House Alley in Newtown.
Also observed were a large number of police officers including crime scene investigators, Commissioner Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn, Assistant Commissioner Joseph Richardson and soldiers combing the crime scene as well as its immediate surroundings.
The incident, which occurred at 11:35 a.m., had attracted a large number of residents within the community, and from among them it was echoed that “the gun used to kill Tuba was not a pistol or revolver…it was a big gun. The killer had it on automatic fire because we heard over 20 bullets were fired in just a few seconds”.
District Medical Officer Dr. Mervyn was summoned to the scene and he pronounced Williams dead.
Speaking with Sergeant Stephen Hector of the Public Press Relations Office of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, he told reporters that officers at the Basseterre Police Station had received a report of the shooting just before 11:40 a.m. and they had responded immediately.
“Upon arrival, investigations revealed that one Ashton Williams, alias Tuba, was shot multiple times by unknown persons and died on the scene. Police are presently following up on leads gained in relations to this incident.
“The joint forces are out on patrols. Members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force are also assisting the Police Force right now with patrols beyond the crime scene. And Crime Scene technicians are right now recovering all available evidence which is at the scene,” Hector said.
He declared that further information would be provided to the press as it becomes available.
Asked how many individuals were involved in the shooting of Williams, Hector said, “I cannot confirm how many persons were there, but we are of the belief that a numbers of persons were involved in committing this assault.”
In response to how many shots were fired, the Sergeant said, "Right now the Crime Scene technicians are recovering the shells from the crime scene, the body is being examined and I would not be able to give you a report as to how many shots until I have spoken directly to them...until we have the autopsy report."
He commended the public for the manner in which they behaved at the scene and rendered advice on what one should do before police arrive at any crime scene.
“The public cooperated with the police and behaved quite well and I want to say a big thank you. Basically, they adhered to all the policies and guidelines. They stood behind the yellow lines and we do not have any reports of public disorder or anyone trying to barge their way past police demarcation.
“What we try to advise the public at all times when an incident takes place and the police are not on the scene, we are asking you not to touch anything. We are asking you to observe…look around and see if you can assist with information and look out for strange people in your community."
Williams is the third person to have died just over a two-month period in Mad House Alley.
On the night of August 15, the body of 31-year-old Everad ‘Nitty’ Hewlett was discovered in his home with a bullet wound to the head.
And Vincent Williams (17) of Herbert Street, Newtown was shot multiple times to the body, including his lower back and right arm, while on a bicycle in Mad House Alley at approximately 6:35 p.m. on October 13.
Investigations into these incidents are also ongoing.
