BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE recent double homicide in the Upper Monkey Hill area has raised concerns throughout the Federation, prompting condemnation and a strong message from Commissioner of Police James Sutton.
On Wednesday (Nov. 22), two young men, Lequani James and Kevin Collins, were gunned down in broad daylight while Kejaun Cannonier was left nursing gunshot injuries.
Sutton, who, on the day before the double homicides, had expressed sympathy to the family of the 26th victim, has again been doing the same as the number of people in the Federation succumbing to gun violence increases.
“I express sincere condolences to the families and friends of these young men. No parent envisions a future where they are burying a child. The pain of such a loss undoubtedly cuts deeply. We fervently hope that all who mourn may find their way to peace and healing. We lift you high in our prayers at this time,” the Commissioner lamented.
While condemning acts of violence, Sutton noted that “while it is often said that commonsense is no longer common, it is utterly unfathomable that these social deviants have not yet realised that violence has never been and will never be a viable solution to any of humanity’s problems”.
He said: “The Police Force collectively continues to implore our people to learn to utilise non-violent avenues to resolve conflicts among themselves”, stressing that “should these social deviants persist in their stubborn refusal to do better and be better, their divisive and destructive efforts will be met with the maximum justifying force of the RSCNPF”.
“Enough is enough!, he exclaimed. “As the Federation’s chief law enforcement agency, we are determined to preserve law and order in St. Kitts and Nevis. We will not gamble with the safety and security of our nation, nor will we allow a few fiendishly selfish and uncaring persons to relegate society's existence to survival mode. It will not happen! The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is a democratic nation. In a democracy, more beats less. We are more than you: we, the Police; and we, the people. You cannot win and WE will make sure you do not win.”
Over the last several months, officials had sought to implement a number of strategies to combat the problem, but there has not been any sign of significant effects across the territory as investigations into all of those homicides are ongoing.
