A tragic workplace shooting incident has left the Ministry of Works in mourning following the death of a long-serving public employee. Omari Philip, a heavy equipment operator with the Public Works Department, succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, nearly two weeks after he was shot while on official duty.
The fatal attack unfolded on July 14 along All Saints Road, where Philip was carrying out his routine work responsibilities when an apparent drive-by shooter opened fire. He was rushed to the island’s main public hospital for emergency treatment immediately after the incident, and remained in medical care until his death last week.
In an official statement released after Philip’s passing, the Ministry of Works formally confirmed the news and extended its deepest condolences to the worker’s grieving family, close friends, and fellow colleagues. Government officials have issued a public appeal urging any member of the community with details related to the unprovoked attack to step forward and cooperate with law enforcement authorities. The goal of the appeal is to help investigators track down the perpetrators and hold them legally accountable for the violence.
“Our collective thoughts and prayers continue to be with his loved ones as they navigate this incredibly painful and difficult time,” the ministry added in its statement, underscoring the profound loss felt across the department’s entire workforce.