The gun violence that has been plaguing St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the last few years, contributing to the bulk of the 29 homicides so far this year, spilt onto the streets of Kingstown on the weekend.
Police on Sunday commented on three shooting incidents in Kingstown, the nation’s capital, which left two females, one 25 and the other 17, injured in separate incidents on the weekend.
Disturbingly, there were two shooting incidents near a bar in Middle Street, Kingstown, with the police saying they were not determining a link between them.
The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said it was investigating two separate firearm incidents that occurred near a bar on Middle Street, between Friday night and Saturday morning.
Preliminary investigations found that at approximately 11 p.m. on Friday, several people were inside the establishment when a 29-year-old man entered the premises and allegedly discharged a firearm.
A 25-year-old woman, of Lowmans Leeward, sustained a gunshot injury to her left arm and was transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where she received medical treatment and was subsequently discharged.
People at the establishment intervened and the firearm was taken from the man, who was subsequently handed over to the police along with the weapon, said to be a .38 revolver.
The man sustained injuries during the incident and remains a patient at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital under police guard.
In a separate incident, at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, two men, aged 24 and 21, were outside the same establishment when they were reportedly approached by a masked man armed with a firearm.
Preliminary information received by investigators said the armed individual attempted to discharge the weapon before subsequently firing several shots as the two men fled the area.
Neither man was injured.
A motor vehicle in the area sustained damage to its front windscreen consistent with gunfire. The masked individual was last seen leaving the area in the direction of the gas station and Paul’s Avenue.
“At this stage, the RSVGPF is not making any determination publicly regarding a possible connection between the two incidents. Investigators are examining the available evidence and circumstances surrounding each occurrence,” a press release said.
Teen injured in shooting at Grenadines Wharf
Police are also investigating a shooting that occurred near the Grenadines Wharf during the early hours of Sunday.
Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 2:30 a.m., a firearm was discharged at a motor vehicle as people were leaving the area.
A 17-year-old female sustained a gunshot injury and was transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where she received medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
Investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
Police are asking anyone with information about these shootings to contact the Criminal Investigations Department, Major Crime Unit or the nearest police station, adding that the constabulary will provide further information where appropriate as the investigations progress.