A devastating act of violence has shaken the small community of Creekside in Antigua, after two men affiliated with the local Rastafarian community were killed in a Tuesday afternoon shooting. The incident, which unfolded just after 4 p.m., left the neighborhood reeling and prompted an immediate statement from Daryll Matthew, the Member of Parliament for St. John’s Rural South.
Matthew opened his public address by expressing profound grief over the loss of the two lives, noting that the senseless violence had cut short two lives and left countless loved ones grappling with sudden shock and pain. “I am heartbroken by the tragic shooting of two members of the Rastafarian community in Creek Side,” he said in the statement. “My thoughts are with them, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this horrific incident.”
First responders transported the two wounded victims to the island’s main public healthcare facility, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where medical staff confirmed both individuals had died from their injuries. As of Wednesday morning, national police had not issued any official public update on the motive behind the attack, potential suspects, or the specific circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Matthew, who represents constituents in the affected area, acknowledged that the double homicide would understandably stoke widespread fear and anger among Creekside residents. He emphasized that all community members have a fundamental right to feel secure within their own homes and neighborhoods, and issued a strong condemnation of the gun violence that has disrupted the community.
In a call for measured solidarity amid the chaos, Matthew urged local residents to set aside rumors and unconfirmed speculation, prioritize looking out for their neighbors, and maintain calm while law enforcement personnel work through their investigative process. The MP also appealed to the broader community to come together in the wake of the tragedy, centering empathy over division.
“Let us meet this difficult moment with compassion and a commitment to peace and safety in our community,” he added. The killing marks a second high-profile act of gun violence impacting small, tight-knit Antiguan communities in recent months, drawing renewed attention to public safety concerns across the island. Police have asked anyone with information related to the shooting to contact local investigative units to support the ongoing inquiry.