Two fatal stabbings in St Michael bring Barbados' 2026 homicide count to 36

A market vendor known as Tallman and 26-year-old Jamario Omar Holder were fatally stabbed within 24 hours in St Michael, Barbados.

Vendor and young man stabbed to death within 24 hours in St Michael

Two men were killed in separate stabbing incidents in less than 24 hours, pushing Barbados' homicide toll for 2026 to 36, Barbados Today reports. Both deaths occurred in St Michael, and police investigations into each case are ongoing.

The more recent victim, a vendor at the Fairchild Street Vendors Market known as Tallman, died after being stabbed multiple times during an altercation at The City market on Wednesday morning. Police had not yet publicly released his full identity at time of publication.

Officers arrived at Fairchild Street around 9 a.m. after a fight broke out between two men. The injured man was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a private vehicle, where he later died from his wounds.

Witnesses told Barbados Today the confrontation erupted with little or no warning. One witness said the victim had attempted to walk away before the attacker followed him with a knife.

"The man leave from here and walk and went so, and the other man leave from here and follow the man, pulled a knife, and stabbed him in his back. Telling the man that he 'Got this here for you'," the witness recounted.

The same witness said the assault continued even after the victim fell to the ground from the first stab wound.

"When the man get the first stab now he jump forward, fall down. He flip the man, man on he back struggling trying to [get away], and the [assailant] sat down on his chest and stabbed the man more," the witness said.

Bystanders at the scene shouted at the attacker, pleading with him to stop. The assailant eventually left the victim, got into a vehicle, and drove away from the scene.

"After he moved off, we helped the guy, and two more guys put he in the van and took him to the hospital because he was bleeding really bad," the witness added.

A second person who knew Tallman described him as a well-regarded figure among those at the market.

"Tallman was a very nice person. Everybody gine tell you that. When you ask around, you will see other people will repeat the same thing. Cool guy, connect with people… everybody does have their miseries, but nothing to [cause] this," the person told Barbados Today.

Tallman's death came fewer than 24 hours after 26-year-old Jamario Omar Holder, of Block 7, Farm Road, Deacons, St Michael, was fatally stabbed at Fernihurst, St Michael, at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to police, initial investigations indicate Holder was involved in a dispute with another man before he was stabbed. He was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a private motor vehicle, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A person of interest is currently assisting police with inquiries into Holder's death. Investigations into both killings are continuing.

Source: Barbados Today