BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Authorities in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have opened a homicide investigation following the fatal shooting of well-known local entertainer Jermaine “Chubby” Clarke, frontman of the popular regional group Kollision Band. The shooting is reported to have taken place in the Keys Village area, with full, confirmed details of the incident still emerging as of Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Early unconfirmed accounts from local media indicate that Clarke had just finished performing at a public event in the area when he was attacked. Witness accounts suggest the gunfire struck Clarke while he was seated inside his private vehicle. When reached by reporters for comment, law enforcement officials confirmed the identity of the deceased and confirmed that a full formal public statement will be released in the coming days as the investigation progresses.
News of Clarke’s sudden, violent death has sent immediate shockwaves across the small Caribbean nation, with messages of condolence and remembrance flooding in from across the islands and the broader Caribbean entertainment community. Samal Duggins, the federation’s Minister of the Creative Economy, released an official statement expressing deep grief over the entertainer’s untimely passing.
“It is with profound sadness that I acknowledge the untimely passing of Jermaine Clarke, affectionately known as ‘Chubby’, lead singer of the Kollision Band,” Duggins said. Reflecting on Clarke’s far-reaching cultural impact across the country, the minister described the artist as a magnetic, joyful force that united audiences across generations. “He was a spirit, as a presence, and a voice that brought joy, energy, and connection to so many,” Duggins added.
Clarke’s killing marks only the second recorded homicide in the Federation so far in 2026, but it is projected to leave a lasting, unforgettable mark on the nation’s local and regional entertainment scene. Duggins emphasized that through decades of live performances and his warm, approachable personality, Clarke cemented a permanent place in St. Kitts and Nevis’ cultural landscape and in the hearts of countless fans and fellow artists.