BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew says he is saddened by the recent incident that led to the deaths of two young men in the community of Upper Monkey Hill, to the north of here on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister, who was celebrating his birthday, said on hearing of the incident, he promptly halted all celebrations to personally visit and extended “my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.”
“It was my sincere intention to personally engage with the affected families and the community before addressing the public, a commitment I fulfilled yesterday and early this morning.
“I also extend my heartfelt condolences to all citizens and residents across the nation who may have been affected. I want to assure our citizens and residents that the Government is committed to taking all necessary measures to end such behavior.”
The Prime Minister called on the nation to unequivocally condemn acts of violence “that have become all too prevalent in our communities. The loss of these promising lives is a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address the root causes of such incidents.”
“To the young men who find themselves entangled in the web of violence, I implore you to reconsider the path you are on. Put down the guns and embrace a future that holds promise and positivity. Our nation mourns the loss of potential, and we cannot let these senseless acts define our collective destiny.”
“It is incumbent upon all of us to unite against violence and to work together to build a society where our youth can flourish and thrive. Let us channel our grief and outrage into actions that promote understanding, compassion, and community building.”
He said that in memory of the lives lost and in solidarity with those affected, the entire nation must stand together against gun crimes.
“Our shared responsibility is to create an environment where peace and security prevail. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their families find strength and solace during this difficult time.”
The police identified the victims as Upper Monkey Hill residents Lequani James,29, and Kevin Collins,24.
According to a police statement, gunshots were heard at Lower Monkey Hill, and when cops arrived, they found James, Collins, and another man, Kejaun Connanier, injured.
Connanier,21, was shot in the legs and was taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital, where he was treated and admitted.
James and Collins are the 27th and 28th murder victims in St Kitts and Nevis this year. The country, which is known to be one of the safest in the Caribbean, recorded five murders within the last three weeks.
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