Bathlodge shooting kills 20-year-old woman, teen critical — PM and minister demand swift justice
A shooting in Bathlodge, Antigua, left a 20-year-old woman dead and a 13-year-old critically injured. PM Browne and Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin condemned the attack and called for swift police action.
Bathlodge gun attack kills young woman as government vows crackdown
A shooting in Bathlodge has claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman and left a 13-year-old in critical condition, antigua.news reports. A third person also sustained gunshot wounds in the attack.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne condemned the incident as deeply disturbing and unacceptable, extending condolences to the family of the woman killed and expressing hope for the recovery of those injured.
"The loss of a young life through gun violence is deeply troubling and unacceptable," Browne said. "A family is today grieving the loss of a daughter and loved one, while another family anxiously awaits news of a 13-year-old who is critically injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible act of violence."
Browne warned that the proliferation of illegal firearms in Antigua and Barbuda must not be allowed to become normalised. He called on the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to use every lawful resource available to identify and apprehend those responsible.
"There can be no safe haven for those who take illegal firearms into our communities and recklessly endanger the lives of our people," he said. "I have every confidence that the Police will pursue this matter vigorously, and I urge them to act swiftly to identify and apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice."
Public Safety Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin said the deadly attack would not diminish the resolve of either the Government or the Police in their efforts to combat gun crime. He noted that the shooting occurred at a time when the Police Force had already intensified its operations, with increased patrols and enforcement activities deployed in identified areas.
"The Royal Police Force will continue to be active and relentless in its efforts to bring crime under control, to remove illegal firearms from our streets, and to identify and bring offenders before the courts," Sir Steadroy said.
He also pledged the Government's continued institutional and material support for the Police Force.
Both officials directed a public appeal to residents of Bathlodge and surrounding communities, urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
"Someone knows something. We appeal to that person or those persons to do what is right. Give the Police the information they need," Sir Steadroy said. "Silence only protects those who commit these acts and allows them the opportunity to strike again."
The Government stressed that addressing gun violence cannot rest with law enforcement alone. Families, schools, churches and community institutions must collectively work to discourage criminal activity, shield young people from negative influences and reject illegal firearms, officials said.
Browne and Sir Steadroy both reiterated their condolences to the family of the woman killed and expressed solidarity with the families of all those injured in the attack.
Source: Google News AG — Crime