BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - INSTANCES of gun violence continue unabated in the Federation with the most recent victim being Gavin Amory of Shadwell.
Police in their investigative findings explained that between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday (Aug. 14), officers of the Special Services Unit found Gavin Amory outside his home with a bullet wound to the right ankle.
It was explained that while Amory was seated outside of his home with a family member, two masked assailants on a motorcycle approached and fired two shots at them.
In their attempt to escape the attack, Amory sustained a bullet wound to his right ankle.
He was subsequently transported by a unit from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the Joseph N. France General Hospital.
That incident came against the backdrop of a spate of armed robberies in recent days in which masked assailants had robbed an individual in the St. Peter’s area, and also the robberies of several business entities.
The issue continues to raise concerns on how guns continue to flow into the Federation.
It is a concern that was raised earlier this year at a police press conference, where it was disclosed that the Police Force would be taking a more stringent look, along with its partners, on border security.
But the concern of some individuals is that there might be persons smuggling pieces of weapons into the island and then having them retrofitted.
Police sources noted that they are also working on that perception and have stepped up measures at the ports of entry, including working with Customs officials to screen passengers more thoroughly.
The Federation has recorded 19 homicides for this year, and also a number of incidents in which persons were injured by firearms.
Since taking office back in February, Commissioner of Police James Sutton revealed a seven-point plan to tackle the problem of crime and violence: Enhanced Crime Prevention Initiatives; Community Policing; Road Safety; Human Resource Development; Better use of Technology; Ongoing collaboration with other agencies; and Evidence-based Policing.
