In a landmark ruling that underscores the Caribbean nation’s firm stance against proliferating gun crime, a Barbados High Court judge has sentenced convicted killer Shawayne Williams to 38 years and 138 days behind bars, emphasizing that judicial institutions have a non-negotiable role to play in curbing violent armed offenses and safeguarding communities.
Justice Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell handed down the sentence this week, noting that courts must align their rulings with the public’s urgent demand to tackle the national crisis of gun violence. Williams, a resident of White Hall, St Michael, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict for the fatal shooting of Tavon Alleyne – cousin of global pop icon and Barbados’ National Hero Rihanna. The attack took place near Alleyne’s home in Eden Lodge, St Michael, on Boxing Day 2017.
During the sentencing remarks, Justice Smith-Bovell referenced the landmark Director of Public Prosecutions Reference No. 1 of 2003 to anchor her decision, stating: “This court has a duty to protect the public as far as it can from the wanton violence perpetrated by some of our young people. Public concern about illegal firearms and violence and the need for general deterrence must be reflected in the sentences passed by the courts. The public are entitled to expect the courts to play their part in fighting the proliferation of firearms and violence. These courts serve the public interest.”
Details presented during the trial laid out the sequence of the fatal attack: at approximately 7 p.m. on the day of the killing, Alleyne arrived via taxi and pulled over on the main road. Moments after he stepped out of the vehicle, multiple gunshots rang out, leaving Alleyne dead on the ground from multiple gunshot wounds. One eyewitness who observed a male suspect fleeing the scene positively identified the runner as Williams. A second witness corroborated the account, confirming Williams had been in the neighborhood earlier that evening, disappeared just before the shooting, and returned to the area shortly after the gunfire stopped.
Outlining the multiple aggravating factors that justified a harsh sentence, Justice Smith-Bovell outlined several key details that elevated the severity of the crime. First, the killing included clear elements of premeditation and coordination: Williams brought an illegal firearm to the scene, and evidence suggested he received advance communication to be in the area exactly when Alleyne arrived, indicating an organized ambush. Second, Alleyne was unarmed when he was attacked, leaving him no chance to defend himself. Third, the shooting was confirmed to be an act of retaliation for a previous non-fatal shooting of Williams by a third party. Additional aggravating factors included the use of an illegal firearm that was never recovered by law enforcement, and the fact that the attack unfolded in a public residential area, putting innocent bystanders – including residents of the nearby home and the taxi driver, who later found bullet holes in his vehicle – at grave risk of injury or death.
To reach the final sentence, Justice Smith-Bovell set an initial starting term of 39 years, adding two extra years to account for Williams’ damaging presentence report, documented history of prior convictions for serious bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm, ongoing illegal drug use, and the assessed high risk he would reoffend if released. The judge then deducted 774 days of pre-sentencing remand time Williams had already served, plus an additional six-month credit for delays in processing the case, resulting in the final term of 38 years and 138 days to be served at Barbados’ Dodds Prison.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Justice Smith-Bovell ordered Williams to participate in a structured suite of rehabilitative programs during his incarceration. Based on psychological and psychiatric assessments, Williams is required to enroll in basic academic and vocational skills training to prepare him for potential reintegration into society after his sentence is complete, as well as any psychotherapeutic programs that mental health professionals or prison authorities deem necessary for his rehabilitation.
The prosecution was led by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and State Counsel Paul Prescod, while Williams was represented in court by Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens.