Deadly shooting hits Caribbean islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Four people were killed and four wounded near the capital of Kingstown on the islands, known as a tourism destination.

A general view shows houses on a hillside near Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on July 2, 2021 [Robertson S. Henry/Reuters]

Police in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are searching for suspects after four people were shot dead and four others wounded near the capital, Kingstown, in an apparent act of gang violence in the Caribbean nation.

Police responded to reports of gunfire in the Green Hill community in Central Kingstown on Friday night, Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Bailey said at a news conference on Saturday.

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“Two bodies were met lying on the public road,” Bailey said. “The body of a female was discovered in a vehicle that was parked on the public road, and on an adjacent piece of land another body was discovered.”

A preliminary examination found all four victims had what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Four other people were taken to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with gunshot injuries. Two were treated and discharged, while two remained in hospital on Saturday.

Police said no arrests had been made and have not publicly established a motive for the killings.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make any arrests in regards to last night’s shooting,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Brenton Smith told reporters. “And as soon as the intelligence and investigation is completed, you will know the motives.”

The killings come as authorities confront gang violence and retaliatory attacks involving rival groups. Police have recorded 37 homicides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines so far this year.

“We have seen some retaliation … one group hitting back at another,” Bailey said. “We condemn it.”

The 32-island nation, known for its white sand beaches and clear waters, is a popular yachting destination for wealthy tourists. It has long relied on tourism as its main source of income.

Authorities said they were stepping up their response following the violence, including increased patrols, searches and greater intelligence sharing among police units.

Bailey appealed particularly to young people to stay away from criminal groups and violence.

“I call upon the young people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to be model citizens, to desist from the path of crime and violence,” he said. “Violence has no part in our society.”

在以旅游胜地闻名的岛屿首府金斯敦附近，四人丧生，四人受伤。

2021年7月2日，圣文森特和格林纳丁斯金斯敦附近山坡上的房屋全景。[Robertson S. Henry/路透社]

在加勒比海岛国圣文森特和格林纳丁斯首都金斯敦附近发生的一起明显的帮派暴力事件中，四人被枪杀，另有四人受伤，警方正在搜寻嫌疑人。

代理警察局长特雷弗·贝利在周六的新闻发布会上表示，周五晚上，警方接到报告称金斯敦市中心绿山社区发生枪击事件。

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“在公共道路上发现了两具尸体，”贝利说。“一具女性尸体在一辆停在公共道路上的汽车内被发现，另一具尸体则在附近的一块空地上被发现。”

初步检查发现，四名受害者均有疑似枪伤。另有四人因枪伤被送往米尔顿·卡托纪念医院。其中两人经治疗后出院，两人周六仍在医院接受治疗。

警方表示，目前尚未逮捕任何人，也未公开确定杀人动机。

“很遗憾，我们未能就昨晚的枪击事件逮捕任何人，”助理警务专员布伦顿·史密斯告诉记者。“一旦情报和调查完成，你们就会知道作案动机。”

在当局应对帮派暴力和敌对团伙之间的报复性袭击之际，这些杀戮事件接连发生。今年迄今为止，圣文森特和格林纳丁斯警方已记录在案的凶杀案有37起。

“我们看到了一些报复行为……一个团体对另一个团体进行反击，”贝利说。“我们谴责这种行为。”

这个由32个岛屿组成的国家以其白色沙滩和清澈的海水而闻名，是富裕游客喜爱的游艇目的地。长期以来，旅游业一直是其主要收入来源。

当局表示，暴力事件发生后，他们正在加强应对措施，包括增加巡逻、搜查以及加强警队之间的情报共享。

贝利特别呼吁年轻人远离犯罪团伙和暴力。

“我呼吁圣文森特和格林纳丁斯的青年们做模范公民，远离犯罪和暴力，”他说。“暴力在我们的社会中没有立足之地。”