Quadruple murder in St. Vincent prompts government crime plan

PM Godwin Friday calls last Friday's shooting of four young men "heartbreaking" and says a comprehensive plan to tackle violent crime is being developed.

St. Vincent PM vows comprehensive crackdown after four shot dead

Four men were killed in a shooting in St. Vincent last Friday, thestkittsnevisobserver.com reports — an incident Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday has described as "heartbreaking" and one that has prompted the government to accelerate plans for a broad-based response to violent crime.

Police confirmed the victims as Steve King, 22; Antonio Samuel, 32; Shaqueil Peters, 26; and Shevern Chandler, 23. Several others were wounded in the incident. The ages of those killed drew particular attention from Friday, who noted on state-owned NBC Radio on Wednesday that "these are young people at the beginning of their lives."

Friday was attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York when the shooting occurred. He told radio listeners he had been in immediate contact with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security St. Clair Leacock throughout.

"We have had follow-ups since I've been here, since I came back," Friday said. "We had meetings with the top brass and the Commissioner and the Minister himself and we are looking for and seeking and putting in place a comprehensive plan to deal with crime and violence, especially violent crimes in our country."

The prime minister said a heavier police presence in affected areas was a necessary short-term measure but not sufficient on its own. "We have to look at the source problem," he said. "Why are these young people moving in this direction? How do we combat this? What are the things that we need to do as a society? This is why it takes an all of society approach."

Friday also pointed to illegal weapons trafficking as a central concern. Guns are not manufactured in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he noted, yet high-powered rifles and submachine guns were appearing on the streets. "How are they getting into the country and what do we do to stem that?" he said, adding that addressing the issue required regional and international cooperation.

The prime minister said the government's plan would also focus on expanding opportunities and alternatives for young people — more constructive paths that could reduce the pull of criminal activity.

"We spoke about it a lot when we were in opposition and we have put our minds to it here in government and we intend to follow through," Friday said. "But it's not, as we have said, it requires everyone."

Friday extended condolences to the families of the four victims and reiterated an appeal, first made by the deputy prime minister, for communities to reject violence. "This is not our lifestyle and we will come to terms with it and we will solve this problem," he told listeners. "We will deal with it in a way that is effective and long lasting."

Source: Google News VC — Crime