Teen in custody over stabbing death in Georgetown

A teenager, said to be 14 years old, is in custody in connection with the latest killing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the 49th homicide in the country this year.

Oneil Delicia died around 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre, in Georgetown, where he was taken after being stabbed about the body an hour earlier in the east coast town.

iWitness News understands that police responded to a report about a stabbing at Queen Street, Georgetown around 6:45 p.m.

When officers arrived, they were told that Delicia had been stabbed and had been taken to hospital for medical attention.

Delicia, who had suffered stab wounds to his right shoulder and to the back of his neck, died around 8 p.m. while receiving medical attention.

The minor who is in custody in connection with the killing was among six minors, aged 13 to 17, who were charged earlier this year with stealing from a shop.

Delicia’s death is the second homicide in three days in SVG, which has recorded its bloodiest year ever.

On Saturday, Leon Gaymes, a 26-year-old labourer, of Layou, died after being shot multiple times in the Central Leeward town.

He became the second person to be killed there in less than two weeks and the third in just over a month.

In a statement on Monday, police said that at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday they received a report of gunfire in Texier Road, Layou.

“Mr. Gaymes reportedly sustained multiple gunshot wounds perpetrated by unknown masked assailant(s). He was transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors at the institution,” the report said.

Police said a postmortem examination will be conducted on Gaymes’ body.

“The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the safety and security of the citizens and residents of our nation.

“This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of cooperation between the police and members of the community in ensuring the safety and security of our citizens. The RSVGPF is dedicated to a thorough investigation, and your assistance is crucial in bringing those responsible to justice,” police said.

Saturday’s killing came even as police announced on Nov.7 that they had taken immediate steps to address an upsurge in crime in Layou.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for crime fighting, detective Trevor Bailey had told a press conference that the police had recognised that there was “a bit of a fall off between the citizens and the police.

“And we are committed to mending that bridge, to fill in that gap,” he told the media.

“We are committed, deeply committed, and we are concerned about the level of crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and we have every shoulder, every boot that is being laced, the members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, our shoulders are committed to the task of making sure that crime is at a minimal and more so, homicides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with dispatch, with urgency, we get a proper grip on the entire situation,” Bailey had said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the killings in Layou to call   999/911, 1-784-458-7229, contact any police station, or speak with a police officer with whom you are comfortable.

“Witness accounts and any additional details may prove crucial in unraveling the truth behind this unfortunate event. All information received would be treated confidentially. Investigations into the matter are ongoing,” police said.