One of the two men murdered on the weekend was killed one day before the seventh anniversary of a gun attack that had seen him being shot in the face.
Demron Delpesche, the country’s 52nd this year, was shot multiple times in the head in broad daylight while walking in his home community of Belmont on Sunday.
Seven years ago, on Dec. 4, 2016, Delplesche was shot in the face in Belmont, resulting in an attempted murder charge being brought against a fellow villager.
iWitness News was unable to ascertain the status of the attempted murder charge against the accused.
Delplesche, a 31-year-old labourer, died as a result of one of four shooting incidents that kept detectives even busier on the weekend as St. Vincent and the Grenadines recorded two gun-related deaths, further driving up the record-setting homicide count, while two other people survived their injuries.
Police said today (Monday) that Delpesche was shot and killed around 7:25 a.m. on Sunday.
“At the time of the shooting, Delpesche was walking along the Belmont Public Road when he was attacked by an armed assailant(s),” police said in a press release on Monday
“Delpesche was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical doctor,” the release further said, noting that Delplesche was the fourth shooting victim on the weekend.
His death follows that of Allando Guy, 35, of Edinboro.
Police said that preliminary information indicates that about 7:20 a.m. Saturday Deejay Howard, 29, and Allando Guy, 35, both labourers, of Edinboro, were attacked by an assailant and shot about their bodies.
The victims were transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) for medical treatment.
Guy died around 11:11 a.m. Howard’s condition is listed as stable, police said.
Also on Saturday, about 10:50 a.m., Joveka Gaymes, a 28-year-old labourer of Layou, was walking through the old cemetery in the “Cashville” area of the town when he was accosted by an assailant and shot multiple times about his body.
Gaymes was transported to the MCHM, where he was treated. He was reported to be in stable condition, police said in their bulletin.
Gaymes is the brother of Leon Gaymes, 26, who was shot and killed in Layou on Nov. 18.
His death is among four murders recorded in the Central Leeward town since Oct. 16.
The release said post mortems would be conducted on the bodies of the two men who were shot and killed on the weekend.
Police said their Crime Scene Unit processed the crime scenes and retrieved several pieces of exhibit.
“The RSVGPF (Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force) extends condolences to everyone who is negatively affected by these incidents,” the release said.
Police are encouraging people with information that can assist their investigation to 999/911 or 1-784-458-7229 or 1-784-456-1810, or 1-784-458-4200.
Alternatively, people with information can contact any police station or police officer with whom they are comfortable speaking.
“If you see something, say something! Do not cover up for the criminals,” Police said in the statement.
“Work with the police and share any information that you may have. Together, we can prevent crime, arrest and prosecute criminals, and make our communities safer. All information received would be treated confidentially. Investigations into the cases are ongoing,” the press release stated.
Well our society is definitely falling apart. Way to many gun violence in our country. Where is the churches, the NGO’S, the grassroots organization. Where are the protests? You have a Minister of National Security always travelling to some unnecessary bs on taxpayers money and doesn’t have a clue to what is going on? Come on! I would tell you something, all this might not affect us now but soon it would definitely land on one of our doorstep. So hurt.