The small Eastern Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is confronting a troubling surge in violent crime following the fatal shooting of Kevin Richards, marking the third homicide within a three-week period. The incident occurred Friday evening in the modest village of Montaque, according to reports from iWitness News.
Initial reports indicate that Richards, a resident of Mesopotamia also known by the alias ‘Masicka’, was standing near a roadside when a vehicle approached his location. The automobile came to a halt, and an occupant inside opened fire, fatally wounding the young man believed to be in his twenties. Emergency responders were summoned to the scene, but Richards succumbed to his injuries.
This tragic event follows two previous shootings that shocked the community. On January 16, 26-year-old Anil Greaves and Quinn Greaves (also known as ‘Huncho’) were ambushed and shot while socializing at a local shop in Georgie Gutter, Belair. Anil Greaves died immediately at the scene, while Quinn Greaves later passed away in a medical facility.
Law enforcement authorities have acknowledged the gravity of the situation by establishing a specialized investigative team to address these connected killings. The unit is being led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey, who oversees crime-fighting initiatives nationwide. In an official press statement, police leadership emphasized their commitment: ‘This investigation will be conducted without distraction, without delay, and without compromise.’
Despite these assurances, investigators have not yet made any arrests in connection with the January homicides. The latest shooting brings the official homicide count in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to four recorded deaths since the beginning of the year, raising concerns among citizens about community safety and violent crime prevention.