Saint Lucia’s homicide count has climbed to 66 for the year, following two separate gun-related incidents on Friday night that left one man dead in Bexon and another injured in Babonneau.
The latest killing has deepened fear and frustration among residents, who say the ongoing violence is crippling community life and threatening livelihoods.
A Bexon resident who spoke to the media anonymously described arriving on the scene moments after gunfire rang out.
“I wasn’t there at the moment, but while I was coming down the road, I ended in the gunshots,” he said.
“When I reached by the school, I see people running by the school. I asked what’s going on. They tell me there’s a guy they shot there. When I came by my shop, I saw the boy laying in front of my shop. That’s it, I don’t know anything else.”
Another resident pleaded with young men to walk away from violence and reconsider the path they are choosing.
“Try to look for a trade, try to learn something man, try to have a family you know because you are hurting other families. You are hurting your family also,” he said.
“It is time to put them things down and turn around. When you have a problem, just put your nail down and pray, but gun cannot solve problem, it is making it worse. Right now we are afraid to walk, right now we do not have no safety even in your home.”
The Saint Lucia Fire Service confirmed that it responded to two separate shooting incidents on the evening of November 21st.
According to the agency’s press officer, Sherise John, firefighters were first dispatched to Bexon at approximately 7:50 p.m.
“On arrival at the scene, an adult male was found in a prone position on the ground. On assessment, he presented negative vitals. A penetrating wound was observed to the forehead with obvious signs of death. He was left in the care of officers attached to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.”
A little more than an hour later, emergency personnel were called to Garrand, Babonneau, for another “alleged gunshot wounding.”
The Fire Service reported, “On arrival at the scene, an adult male was found making his way to the ambulance. An assessment revealed two penetrating wounds to the back of his thigh. He was treated and then transported to a medical facility for advanced medical care.”
Residents say the violence has become both frightening and disruptive, with many choosing to remain indoors whenever possible. Business owners in Bexon have described repeated losses in foot traffic and late-night customers due to ongoing gun activity.
Police investigations into both shootings remain ongoing as families and communities grapple with another wave of trauma. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims.
