ANTIGUA-Police say two persons are assisting investigations into the shooting incident.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC -Police say two people are assisting their investigations into the shooting incident that disrupted a major political rally last Saturday night, which left at least one person injured.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a 28-year-old man was standing near the rally when a vehicle passed by and several loud explosions were heard. The man was reportedly shot in the process and taken to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, where his injuries were described as not life-threatening. However, he is expected to undergo surgery later on Monday.

In a statement, the police said that several vehicles parked in the area also sustained multiple damages as a result of the incident, and that they have since recovered a firearm along with several spent shells from the scene.

The police said that they wanted to reassure the public that, based on information received so far, the incident is not gang-related, nor was it politically motivated, or connected to the political rally, even as they “strongly condemn this act of violence and continue to urge members of the public to support the efforts of the police in maintaining peace and security”.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne also “strongly condemned “ the shooting, stressing that the violence at the rally, which was organized by the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labor Party (ABLP), was criminal in nature and not politically motivated.

“I note the statement issued by the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirming that this incident is not politically motivated and is not connected to the event itself. That clarification is important, and the public should take careful note of it,” Browne said, describing the incident as “an act of criminal violence,” and attributing it to illegal firearms and ongoing disputes rather than political tensions.

The incident comes just days before Antigua and Barbuda heads to the polls for general elections on April 30, with the ruling ABLP facing a strong challenge from the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP).