By Admin. Updated 5:23 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
A young man who was shot in Chateaubelair earlier this week has died while receiving treatment at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, taking St Vincent and the Grenadines’ homicide toll for the year to 33.
Police on Thursday (August 20), confirmed that the victim has been identified as Desran Micheal, 20, who succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the shooting.
His death comes two days after the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the vicinity of Plan Village, Chateaubelair.
According to police, officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 1:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17. On arrival, they found Micheal with apparent gunshot wounds.
He was initially taken to the Chateaubelair Smart Hospital before being transferred to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where he later died despite medical efforts to save his life.
Police processed the scene and said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are continuing.
The RSVGPF has withheld certain identifying and evidential details, explaining that the information is being kept confidential to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Micheal’s death marks the 33rd homicide recorded in St Vincent and the Grenadines so far this year, underscoring the country’s continued struggle with violent crime.
Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, or who has information that could assist investigators, to contact the Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department/Major Crime Unit at 456-1810or 457-1211, extensions 4837 or 4839, or call 999 or 911.
The RSVGPF has assured the public that all information received will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Micheal’s death came on the same day the new leadership of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) unveiled a strengthened, intelligence-led strategy to tackle gun violence, illegal firearms and other serious crimes, declaring that the Force “will not normalise gun violence” and outlining a series of targeted measures aimed at preventing further bloodshed.
Earlier on Thursday, Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Bailey announced that Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ag.) Brenton Smith had assumed responsibility for the Force’s Crime portfolio as part of a strengthened command structure. The RSVGPF said its renewed approach will focus on intelligence gathering, the recovery of illegal firearms, targeted operations, stronger investigations, increased police visibility and greater accountability, with the stated objective of preventing violent crime before more lives are lost.
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