BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE New Year in St. Kitts has begun with members of the Violent Crimes Unit investigating two separate shooting incidents that have left two young men nursing bullet wounds at the JNF General Hospital.
The first incident occurred yesterday (Jan. 1) at approximately 8:50 p.m. during the Grand Parade while the procession was on West Independence Square Street in the vicinity of Ashley Furniture Home Store.
According to sources, a 23-year-old man, who is believed to have been among revellers following the Nu Vybes Band, was shot to the right side of his body shortly after a police officer was overheard telling members of the band that their cut-off time was 9:00 pm.
While it was touted that he was shot by police, a senior officer dispelled the rumour and informed this publication that so far no one was held in relation to the incident but they are “vigorously investigating”.
A police release, which confirmed the incident, quoted Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley saying: “As we investigate this incident, we urge anyone who may have been in the area and may have seen or heard anything with regards to this incident to call the Police. Ensuring Citizen Safety will have to be a holistic approach, it will require the involvement of the entire community to rid our communities of this senseless violence. In 2016, I ask for the support of our citizens, our families and our communities, as we continue our efforts to ensuring safe communities for all. Together we can make a greater difference.
“We urge anyone with information that can assist the police in this crime, or any other crime to call any Police Station in the federation or Crime Stoppers, our confidential hotline, at 1-800-8477 to share information.”
The second incident occurred at about 3:25 this morning (Jan. 2) on the island’s main road in Lower Cayon in the vicinity of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The victim is said to be 25-year-old Ellister Thomas of Ottley’s Village.
SKNVibes learnt that Thomas was shot while in the back seat of a car that was travelling in a northern direction along the island’s main road.
Information reaching this publication states that Thomas was earlier seen partying at the Frigate Bay Strip and was on his way home in the company of two individuals when the incident occurred.
Information further states that the driver of the vehicle had reduced his speed to walking pace when in the vicinity of the Seventh Day Adventist Church because part of the road was blocked. A number of large plastic garbage bins were placed on the left side of the road and a few vehicles were on the opposite side, which had impeded the smooth flow of traffic.
During that brief moment, a number of unidentified gunmen, one with an Assault Rifle, open fire in the direction of the car, wounding Thomas to the right hip.
Thomas was rushed to the JNF General Hospital, where he is currently warded.
This shooting incident was also confirmed by the police in a press release.
It quoted ACP Queeley as saying: “We urge anyone who may have seen this incident or any activity in the area around 3am (Saturday) morning to provide the information to the Police. Working together, hand in hand, we can rid our communities of the senseless violence. It will take a partnership of Police and Community to make a difference. Our Forensics Unit has canvassed the scene and have collected evidence, but your eyewitness assistance coupled with what we do will be difference in solving these crimes.”
This is not the first time that an attempt was made on Thomas’ life.
At about 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2008, Thomas, then 17 years old, was among four individuals who were shot by an unknown assailant while they were walking through Mad House Alley in Newtown, Basseterre.
