A grim discovery shook the community of Barre Denis in southern Castries on Friday morning when the body of 19-year-old Ziquan ‘Xavi’ Hippolyte was identified by family members. The young man was found deceased near a residential property and a local preschool, lying in a substantial pool of blood with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.
According to residents, multiple gunshots were heard in the area around 8:00 PM on Thursday evening, suggesting the violent incident occurred hours before the discovery. The crime scene’s proximity to both homes and an educational facility has heightened concerns about community safety.
The body was initially spotted by a young resident preparing for school. His grandmother, who wished to remain anonymous, described the traumatic moment to reporters: ‘While preparing breakfast for my husband, my grandson approached me and said, ‘Mama, look, you have a dead body by the house.” Initially skeptical, the woman investigated further and encountered the horrifying scene firsthand, prompting her to scream for assistance.
Preschool teachers from the adjacent educational facility responded to her distress calls and immediately contacted local law enforcement. Police secured the area and launched an investigation, though authorities have released limited information about potential suspects or motives at this early stage.
The tragic death of Hippolyte has reverberated through the close-knit community, raising questions about public safety and youth violence. As investigations continue, residents await further details from law enforcement regarding this disturbing incident that has left both adults and children traumatized.