A fatal weekend shooting that left a national of St Kitts dead in Portsmouth’s Picard district has drawn sharp condemnation from the constituency’s sitting parliamentary representative, Fenella Wenham-Sheppard, who is urging collective community action to root out violent crime and protect the town’s long-standing reputation for unity and resilience.
The killing, which took place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, has shaken the quiet coastal community, prompting an official statement from Wenham-Sheppard addressing the violence and its impact on local residents. In her remarks, the lawmaker delivered an uncompromising rebuke of the homicide and broader patterns of violence impacting the area.
“In the strongest possible terms, I condemn this recent act of homicide and the wave of violence that has touched our community,” Wenham-Sheppard said. She went on to reaffirm her unwavering commitment to advancing targeted initiatives focused on youth development, grassroots community empowerment, and expanded public safety protections across every neighborhood in the Portsmouth Constituency.
The MP shared that she was deeply grieving alongside the community following the incident, extending her heartfelt condolences to the deceased person’s family and all loved ones left behind. She emphasized that the senseless violence has left an indelible mark on the community, and that her office stands ready to support those affected in any way possible.
Consistent with her long-standing public position on public safety, Wenham-Sheppard renewed her call for peace, cross-community unity, and coordinated local action to push back against rising criminal activity. She stressed that the fatal shooting is a source of profound concern for all residents, but stressed that this isolated act of violence does not represent the true character or collective spirit of the town that Portsmouth residents have built.
“Portsmouth has long been known across the country for its rich cultural heritage, remarkable community resilience, and deep sense of togetherness among neighbors,” Wenham-Sheppard noted. “We cannot and will not allow criminal activity to overshadow the proud, welcoming identity that generations of residents have cultivated here.”
Closing her statement, the parliamentary representative made clear that violence of any kind has no place in the Portsmouth community. “As neighbors and as stakeholders in this town’s future, we must stand united to protect the peace and safety that every one of our residents deserves,” she added.