A horrific shooting incident that left one young person dead and two others injured in Antigua’s Bathlodge community last week has prompted authorities to arrange specialized medical support for the youngest surviving victim. Thirteen-year-old Joshua Meade, who suffered a gunshot wound to the face during the fatal Monday night attack, is set to receive critical reconstructive care from an overseas surgeon expected to arrive in the country this week.
Maurice Merchant, the director general of communications in Antigua’s Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed the arrangement during a public briefing following this week’s Cabinet meeting. He noted that local hospital leadership formally requested the specialized surgeon’s involvement to support Joshua’s treatment, and the visiting specialist is on track to join the care team in the coming days. As of the briefing, Meade remains in a local hospital continuing his recovery.
The violence did not just harm Joshua: 20-year-old Saquania Anthony was killed in the shooting, and Joshua’s 24-year-old brother Kelvin was also wounded. Merchant shared that Kelvin has already completed initial treatment and been released from the hospital to return home.
In the wake of the tragedy, Antigua’s official Cabinet has extended formal condolences to Anthony’s grieving family, while also issuing a public statement wishing Joshua a complete and speedy recovery. Merchant appealed to the Antiguan public to hold Joshua, his family, and Anthony’s loved ones in their thoughts and prayers. Beyond the immediate response to this attack, he also urged all local residents to join collective efforts to curb the spread of gun violence across the country, framing the issue as a shared public responsibility that requires community-wide action.