A recent brutal double shooting in Antigua’s Creek Side neighborhood has sparked a urgent, unifying call for action from the island’s leading Christian body, as community leaders work to head off a cycle of revenge violence that has plagued other parts of the nation.
On Tuesday afternoon, two local residents — a 49-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman — were killed in a public shooting outside a neighborhood shop, according to local law enforcement. Initial investigative findings show multiple suspects arrived at the scene in a silver Honda CR-V, with more than one attacker exiting the vehicle to open fire on the victims. Both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were rushed to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. The killings have left the local Nyabinghi Rastafari community reeling from grief.
In a public pastoral address titled “Choose Life, Reject Violence,” Antigua Christian Council President Rev. Dr. Bonnie E.B.W. Smith issued a clear appeal to anyone holding a firearm with harmful intent: lay down your weapon and seek help to step away from conflict. She emphasized that even when conflicts leave people feeling hurt, threatened, humiliated or betrayed, those temporary emotions do not justify ending another person’s life. Instead of lashing out in retaliation, she urged people caught in cycles of tension to reach out to a trusted confidant to help them disengage from violence safely. “Step away from revenge. Do not make a permanent decision in a moment of anger,” Smith said.
The council explicitly extended its solidarity to the grieving Rastafari community, pushing back against any divisions that might leave the affected group feeling isolated. “Our religious tradition may differ, but our concern for your lives, your families, and your safety is shared,” Smith said. “You are our neighbors. Your grief matters. Your peace matters.” She stressed that the recent violence has made clear that no community in Antigua is insulated from the threat of gun violence, and that the entire nation has a responsibility to respond when any community suffers harm. “When any part of our nation is wounded, none of us can afford to look away,” she added.
Beyond appeals to potential actors of violence, Smith called on Antigua’s national leaders and public safety agencies to deliver coordinated, urgent and long-lasting action to tackle the root of the crisis. She outlined key priorities: a full and transparent investigation into the Creek Side killings, fair and consistent pursuit of justice for the victims, and determined action to crack down on the flow of illegal firearms across the country. Crucially, she pushed back against the pattern of temporary public outrage fading back into inaction after high-profile tragedies. “This must not become another tragedy that briefly captures our attention before we return to business as usual,” she said.
Smith also directed her message to young people across Antigua, noting that they represent the nation’s future and deserve intentional investment in their safety and growth. She pushed back against the harmful cultural narrative that carrying a firearm earns respect, urging young people to reject that idea entirely. She also called on parents, caregivers, teachers and local community leaders to be more attentive to warning signs of potential violence: taking threats seriously, checking in on people who are withdrawing from community, struggling with trauma, or becoming consumed by personal conflicts. “Let us listen without dismissing, correct without humiliating, and take threats seriously,” she said.
The council also called on faith communities of all traditions — not just Christian congregations — to turn public prayer into tangible, on-the-ground support for affected communities. This includes practical support for grieving families, youth mentoring programs, community-led conflict resolution initiatives, and intentional collaboration across religious lines to build unity against violence. Additionally, Smith called for responsible online behavior, warning against the spread of unconfirmed rumors, the glorification of retaliatory violence, and the sharing of graphic distressing images that only deepen the pain of grieving families. “Remember that someone’s suffering is not entertainment,” she said.
In closing, the council urged all Antiguan residents to take collective responsibility for ending gun violence: supporting grieving community members, recognizing and acting on warning signs of conflict, holding elected and public safety leaders accountable for action, and making changes within their own homes and local communities. “We cannot undo the pain already suffered, but we can refuse to deepen it,” Smith said.
Local law enforcement has issued a public call for tips from anyone with information about the attack. People with details can contact the Antigua Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or 462-3914, or reach the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).