Man shot and killed in Ottley Hall

By Admin. Updated 3:07 p.m., Saturday, June 29, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

We can confirm that a man was shot and killed this afternoon (June 29) in the West Kingstown community of Ottley Hall.

According to reports the incident occurred at around 2:40 p.m.

The man has been identified as Ekron Kamali Edwards.

Reports are that he was shot in his head and died on the spot.

His death comes after Kaymanie Richards, a resident of Diamond succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot by masked assailants on Friday night/early Saturday morning in Diamond.

We will bring more details as they come to hand from authoritative sources.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has blamed the easy access to guns in the U.S. and young people who have a fascination with guns as part of the reason for the increased number of gun-related deaths here.

But, former police commissioner- Mr. Colin John said publicly in 2023 that based on intel, most of the homicides being committed in the country are linked to a drug transaction that went wrong sometime in 2014 where friends became foes.

Many Vincentians are of the view that the homicides being recorded are drug-related and the result of criminal elements in the country “taking out each other” in reprisal fashion, and that the rest of the country is unscathed.

Still, many have expressed grave concerns and the need for more action to reduce the incidences of gun violence.

Recently, a 91-day National Firearm Amnesty Programme was held by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, but as of May 31, when the programme ended only 18 firearms and 327 rounds of ammunition were handed in.

The programme commenced on March 1, 2024, and concluded on May 31, 2024.

The government has also announced the introduction of high-tech scanners at the ports of entry to detect weapons after several high-powered rifles and ammunition were detected coming through the ports.