Carib Scope

博客

  • Ellerton Primary showcases integrated learning at open day

    Ellerton Primary showcases integrated learning at open day

    On Wednesday, Ellerton Primary School opened its doors to the community for a highly anticipated open day, where education leaders and local families got a front-row look at how immersive, cross-curricular project-based learning is transforming the student experience at the Barbados-based institution. The event showcased hundreds of student projects completed across the first two terms of the current academic year, tied to major cultural, environmental, and global observances ranging from national Independence Day and African Awareness Day to Valentine’s Day and International Water Day.

    School principal Karen Sealy-Cox revealed that the institution had begun planning the open day months in advance, before the country’s Ministry of Education Transformation issued a mandate requiring all schools to host such community showcase events. Walking attendees through the sprawling displays, Sealy-Cox highlighted the diversity of work on view: a mix of independent student creations and collaborative whole-class projects, plus a dedicated student art gallery that highlights young creative talent.

    “What stands out most is how much joy the students got from building these projects,” Sealy-Cox shared in an interview during the event. “I was honestly blown away by the sheer volume of thoughtful, high-quality work they produced. I had no idea just how much content we would have to showcase until I walked through the displays this morning.”

    Beyond building practical skills, the project-based curriculum has opened new windows for cultural learning for the school’s student body. Through the African Awareness initiative, students explored the rich diversity of cultural traditions across the African continent, while the Valentine’s Day cross-cultural project revealed unexpected variations in how the holiday is celebrated around the world. “We found that some traditions are similar to what we do here, but other countries don’t celebrate the holiday at all,” Sealy-Cox explained. “And unlike our traditional red color palette for the day, many nations favor purple as the primary celebratory color – that was a fun discovery for the kids.”

    Kirtis Luke, an officer from the Ministry of Education Transformation who attended the open day, praised the event as an exceptional example of what modern, student-centered learning can achieve. He noted that Ellerton Primary’s approach seamlessly weaves multiple subject areas into single, engaging projects, rather than teaching topics in isolated silos.

    “I’ve been absolutely amazed by how fully projects are integrated into every part of the school’s curriculum, how every subject connects to create one cohesive, fantastic learning experience for students,” Luke said. He pointed specifically to the school’s environmental projects focused on water conservation, animal husbandry, and aquaponics as examples of creative learning that extends far beyond traditional desk-based instruction.

    “Too often, the public only associates schooling with rote instruction at desks – memorizing math formulas or practicing language arts – but here, every topic ties together in meaningful, hands-on work,” Luke added. “Our teachers are incredibly creative, and this open day gives them a chance to show that creativity off to the community. One of the ministry’s core goals is to encourage schools to share their students’ talents and progress with local families, and this event delivered on that goal completely. It was absolutely wonderful.”

    Parents who toured the displays alongside education officials also shared overwhelmingly positive impressions, expressing surprise and pride at the depth of their children’s work and the engaging learning model the school has adopted.

  • Wanted Jamaicans deported after being found hiding in Federation

    Wanted Jamaicans deported after being found hiding in Federation

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — A cross-security force cooperation in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken two high-profile Jamaican fugitives off the region’s streets, with the pair now back in Jamaica to answer for serious violent criminal charges they face at home.

    The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) confirmed the successful operation in an official media release distributed Wednesday evening, noting that law enforcement officers worked alongside the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) to track and apprehend the two men, who had been hiding in the federation for an undisclosed period. The fugitives have been identified as Kemar Matthews and Clevone Harris.

    The joint law enforcement team captured the two suspects in two separate targeted operations carried out on May 18 and May 20, 2026, respectively. Jamaican law enforcement agencies have been actively searching for the pair, who are wanted on charges of murder and intentional wounding, according to official filings.

    In an update just 24 hours after the release of the operation announcement, police confirmed that both men completed the repatriation process and were back in Jamaican custody by 1:00 p.m. local time on May 21. At the time of publication, authorities have not released any further information about the specifics of the deportation process or additional operational details surrounding the arrest operations.

  • Nicholas Urges Residents to Install Water Tanks as Antigua Pushes Toward 24/7 Supply

    Nicholas Urges Residents to Install Water Tanks as Antigua Pushes Toward 24/7 Supply

    As the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda pursues comprehensive upgrades to its aging water infrastructure to achieve a consistent 24-hour water supply for all residents, Public Utilities Minister Melford Nicholas is urging households across the country to add personal water storage tanks as a practical short-term mitigation for unavoidable service disruptions. Speaking on Pointe FM’s current affairs program *Taking Stock* Tuesday evening, Nicholas outlined that storing at least three days of personal water reserve can shield homeowners from the temporary interruptions that come hand-in-hand with large-scale public works projects across the island. In a memorable framing of the guidance, Nicholas noted that every resident – from remote hamlets to major towns across both islands – can effectively “inoculate” themselves against the inconvenience of sudden supply cuts while the government overhauls the national network. Most ongoing service interruptions stem from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA)’s ongoing work to replace outmoded, rupture-prone legacy pipeline infrastructure with new high-density polyethylene pipes across the island’s transmission and distribution networks, Nicholas explained. Contrary to a common misconception, the minister emphasized that household storage does not require a high-cost, elaborate custom system. Standard rubber storage tanks ranging from 600 to 850 gallons provide enough reserve to cover a typical household’s needs for a full three-day outage, he noted. Even simple, low-cost plumbing modifications can be added to automatically refill the personal tank once mainline service is restored, creating an uninterrupted supply that automatically switches to stored water during mainline cuts. Nicholas added that dozens of households have already adopted this solution, with many reporting they no longer notice when mainline service is interrupted. He shared an anecdote from a constituent who told him she “doesn’t know when the water is off” because her automated refill tank system keeps her household supplied continuously without disruption. The public utilities chief acknowledged that periodic outages, especially those occurring on weekends, have sparked widespread frustration among residents across the nation. But he emphasized the government’s long-term commitment to stabilizing the entire national water network through a multi-pronged strategy that includes expanded water production capacity, upgraded transmission infrastructure, and new large-scale public storage facilities. Under current national plans, Antigua and Barbuda will add 16 million gallons of new public storage capacity, while continuing to replace leaky, broken legacy pipelines and roll out a cutting-edge SCADA digital monitoring system that gives utility managers far greater precision and control over water distribution across the islands. Nicholas also issued a clear note of realism: the full infrastructure transformation will take years to complete, slowed by ongoing challenges including tight financing constraints, global supply chain delays that have pushed back delivery of specialized materials and equipment, and the need for custom technical work that cannot be rushed. Even as long-term upgrades progress, Nicholas reaffirmed that personal household water storage remains the most accessible, practical short-term solution for residents to avoid the inconvenience of temporary service disruptions.“

  • FM Chet Greene Attends CARICOM Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suriname

    FM Chet Greene Attends CARICOM Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suriname

    As the 15-nation Caribbean bloc CARICOM navigates a turbulent landscape of evolving global and hemispheric shifts, its top leader is sounding the call for deeper coordination among member states to project a unified, influential voice on the international stage.

    On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett delivered opening remarks to foreign affairs ministers gathered in Paramaribo, Suriname, for the 29th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), emphasizing that collective action is not a choice for the bloc’s small island and coastal nations—it is a non-negotiable necessity.

    Barnett framed the current global moment as one defined by rapid systemic shifts that reshape regional economies, cross-border trade partnerships and core foreign policy priorities for every CARICOM member. She reminded attending delegates that policy decisions emerging from COFCOR and other CARICOM governing bodies carry direct, tangible impacts on the economic prosperity and social well-being of the bloc’s 16 million citizens, pushing for outcomes that will reinforce the entire community’s long-term resilience amid uncertainty.

    Against this backdrop of shifting global dynamics, Barnett outlined the bloc’s ongoing diplomatic strategy: strengthening long-standing partnerships with traditional allies while expanding diplomatic outreach to new global partners. During the 29th COFCOR meeting, CARICOM delegates are scheduled to hold targeted discussions with representatives from Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on areas of mutual strategic and economic interest.

    Looking forward to the remainder of 2026, the Secretary-General stressed the critical need for coordinated, bloc-wide preparation for a packed slate of high-stakes global diplomatic gatherings that will shape outcomes on CARICOM’s top priority issues. These key issues include advancing reparatory justice for colonial-era harms, stabilizing the ongoing crisis in Haiti, addressing the accelerating impacts of climate change, securing equitable access to climate finance for vulnerable small states, and upholding global peace and security. The upcoming major events include the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting set to be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda, the annual United Nations General Assembly, the Organization of American States General Assembly, and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31).

    “One of our Caribbean Community’s greatest strengths is our ability to project a united voice,” Barnett told attendees, noting that this collective unity is the only tool that allows small developing states to meaningfully shape global decision-making processes that directly impact their futures. While she acknowledged the inherent challenges of balancing individual national priorities with shared regional goals, Barnett reaffirmed that cross-member coordination remains an essential foundation for CARICOM’s success. “None of our small nations can effectively confront these challenges in isolation. Working together is therefore not an option, it is an imperative,” she added.

    Founded in 1973 via the Treaty of Chaguaramas—revised in 2001 to establish a regional single market and economy—CARICOM counts 15 full member states and six associate members, with a total population of roughly 16 million people, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30. The bloc organizes its work around four core pillars: economic integration, coordinated foreign policy, human and social development, and cross-border security cooperation. Widely recognized as one of the most successful regional integration projects in the developing world, CARICOM aims to build an inclusive, resilient, and competitive global bloc that guarantees human rights, social justice, and equal opportunity for all citizens to thrive and share in shared prosperity. The CARICOM Secretariat, the organization’s central administrative body, is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Marks World Hypertension Day With Call for Early Detection and Better Blood Pressure Control

    Antigua and Barbuda Marks World Hypertension Day With Call for Early Detection and Better Blood Pressure Control

    The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has officially joined the global observation of World Hypertension Day, with public health leaders and medical professionals across the country issuing a urgent collective call to prioritize early screening and sustained, effective control of high blood pressure.

    This annual awareness event, which centers on addressing one of the most prevalent preventable chronic conditions globally, has brought renewed attention to the silent public health threat that hypertension poses in Antigua and Barbuda. Local health authorities point out that high blood pressure often shows no obvious visible symptoms in its early stages, yet it is a leading risk factor for life-threatening conditions including stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and long-term cardiovascular damage that disproportionately impacts working-age and older populations across the Caribbean.

    During a series of community outreach and education events held to mark the day, public health teams hosted free blood pressure testing clinics in neighborhood centers, rural clinics and public marketplaces across both Antigua and Barbuda. These events were designed to remove barriers to access for residents who may not regularly seek preventive care, providing not only free screenings but also tailored guidance on lifestyle adjustments, including balanced diet, regular physical activity, reduced sodium intake and stress management, that can help prevent or manage elevated blood pressure. Health officials also emphasized that for people already diagnosed with hypertension, consistent adherence to prescribed medication and regular check-ups with healthcare providers is critical to keeping the condition under control and avoiding severe complications.

    In official statements marking the day, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Health highlighted that expanding access to routine blood pressure screenings across primary care facilities is a key part of the government’s ongoing public health strategy, aimed at reducing national rates of preventable cardiovascular disease and improving overall population health outcomes. The ministry also noted that community awareness initiatives like the events held for World Hypertension Day play a vital role in encouraging residents to take proactive steps to monitor their blood pressure, address risk factors early, and engage with the healthcare system before the condition progresses to a dangerous stage. Public health advocates added that tackling hypertension requires a whole-society approach, with workplaces, community organizations and families all playing a part in promoting healthy habits and encouraging regular check-ups to keep the condition in check.

  • Antigua and Barbuda and Japan engage in bilateral talks at the 29th Meeting of the COFCOR

    Antigua and Barbuda and Japan engage in bilateral talks at the 29th Meeting of the COFCOR

    Against the backdrop of growing diplomatic engagement between Caribbean nations and Asian global powers, senior diplomatic representatives from Antigua and Barbuda and Japan convened for targeted bilateral talks on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The discussions took place on the margins of the 29th Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) gathering, hosted this year in Paramaribo, the capital of the Republic of Suriname.

    Leading the delegations were two senior officials: E.P. Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, and Eri Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. The meeting centered on advancing mutual cooperation and aligning shared priorities across a range of regional and global issues.

    Opening the formal dialogue, Vice-Minister Arfiya extended formal congratulations to Minister Greene on the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) recent victory in the country’s general election, securing the party’s renewed mandate to govern. She also expressed gratitude for Greene’s high-profile visit to Japan during the 2025 Osaka Expo, an official engagement that she noted had significantly strengthened the bonds of solidarity between the two nations.

    In his response, Minister Greene commended the longstanding positive diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also thanked Japan for its consistent, sustained support to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) across four critical policy areas: climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, reform of the global financial architecture, and advancing inclusive sustainable development across the Caribbean region.

    Greene used the bilateral meeting as an opportunity to formally request Japanese support for transportation logistics ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Vice-Minister Arfiya indicated that the request received favorable consideration from the Japanese delegation, moving it forward in the official review process.

    A key topic of long-term strategic discussion was the potential for Antigua and Barbuda to establish a permanent diplomatic mission in Tokyo. Both sides agreed to revisit the proposal once Antigua and Barbuda completes the required feasibility studies to assess the practical and financial viability of the new mission.

    Beyond bilateral priorities, the two officials reaffirmed their shared commitment to core global principles: mutual respect for democracy, national sovereignty, and adherence to international law. They also exchanged views on ongoing negotiations surrounding United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform, and conducted a review of existing Japanese development projects currently underway across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Explores Turning Waste Into Energy

    Antigua and Barbuda Explores Turning Waste Into Energy

    The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has launched an exploratory push to convert accumulated waste into usable electricity, marking a bold step toward solving two pressing national challenges at once: growing solid waste management pressures and a heavy reliance on costly imported fossil fuels.

    For years, the small island developing state has grappled with limited landfill space, as rapid tourism growth and population expansion have pushed existing waste disposal sites close to maximum capacity. At the same time, the country’s energy sector has long depended on imported oil and gas, leaving electricity prices volatile and national budgets strained by global energy market fluctuations. Officials in Antigua and Barbuda argue that a waste-to-energy system could simultaneously shrink the volume of waste going to landfills by up to 90% through incineration and generate baseload power to reduce the country’s import dependency.

    Early-stage discussions are currently underway between national government agencies, international development partners, and private sector infrastructure firms to assess the technical feasibility, financial viability, and environmental impact of building a full-scale waste-to-energy facility. Project backers note that unlike many renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which are intermittent, waste-to-energy produces consistent power around the clock, making it a valuable complement to Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing transition to cleaner energy. The government has also emphasized that any developed facility will meet strict international emissions standards to minimize air quality risks for local communities.

    Critics of the proposal, however, have raised concerns about the potential for greenhouse gas emissions from incineration, as well as the high upfront capital costs of constructing such a facility. Some local environmental groups have instead advocated for scaling up recycling and waste reduction programs as a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative. Despite these debates, the government remains committed to moving forward with feasibility studies, with preliminary findings expected to be released within the next 12 months to guide future policy decisions.

  • Travel Forum in Antigua Identifies Key Priorities Shaping Future of Regional Tourism

    Travel Forum in Antigua Identifies Key Priorities Shaping Future of Regional Tourism

    Against the backdrop of a global tourism landscape still reshaping itself in the wake of pandemic-era disruptions and shifting traveler expectations, stakeholders from across the Caribbean gathered in Antigua for a landmark regional travel forum designed to map out a sustainable, inclusive path forward for the sector.

    Attendees at the invitation-only event brought a diverse range of perspectives to the table, including national tourism boards, independent hospitality operators, climate action advocates, transportation infrastructure specialists, and local community tourism organizers. Over two days of panel discussions, breakout working sessions, and cross-stakeholder negotiations, the group coalesced around a set of core priorities that will guide regional collaboration in the coming years.

    Top of the agenda was climate resilience, a non-negotiable priority for small island developing states across the Caribbean that face growing threats from sea-level rise, more intense hurricane seasons, and coral reef degradation that erodes the natural draw for millions of international visitors each year. Forum participants agreed that coordinated investment in nature-based infrastructure—including mangrove restoration, sustainable coastal development, and renewable energy transition for hotels and resorts—must be a core funding focus moving forward.

    A second key priority centered on expanding inclusive economic growth that benefits local communities, rather than only large international hospitality chains. Participants highlighted the need to streamline access to microgrants and training for small, locally owned tourism businesses, including homestay operators, cultural tour guides, and craft artisans, to help them compete in a global market increasingly dominated by large online booking platforms.

    Third, the forum identified digital transformation as a critical pillar for the region’s future. Delegates called for coordinated investment in upgrading digital connectivity across remote island destinations, as well as collective marketing campaigns targeted at niche traveler segments, including eco-tourists, remote work nomads, and cultural heritage travelers, to reduce the region’s historical reliance on mass package tourism.

    Regional tourism leaders emphasized that the consensus reached at the Antigua forum marks a clear break from past approaches, where individual island nations often competed against one another for visitor market share. Instead, the new framework prioritizes collective action to address shared challenges, from climate risk to global economic volatility that can disrupt travel demand. Closing the forum, Antigua’s Minister of Tourism outlined plans to create a working group that will turn these priority statements into actionable regional projects, with the first funding proposals set to be presented to international development banks by the end of the calendar year.

    Many attendees noted that the forum’s timing could not be more critical. As international travel volumes have now returned to pre-pandemic levels across most of the Caribbean, leaders have a narrow window to reshape the sector before the next wave of growth locks in older, less sustainable models. The priorities identified in Antigua are expected to shape not only regional policy but also how billions in global climate and development funding are allocated to Caribbean tourism over the next decade.

  • Suspect admits strangling Angelo

    Suspect admits strangling Angelo

    Nine days after two-year-old Angelo Tobias Plaza was reported missing from his home in the coastal Tobago village of Goodwood, the high-profile investigation has taken a devastating, unexpected turn: one of seven detained suspects has confessed to strangling the toddler and discarding his body in the waters off Goodwood Bay.

    The toddler was first reported missing from his Goodwood residence on the night of May 11. In the week following his disappearance, a multi-team search effort involving local police, the volunteer Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT), and other emergency responders scoured a wide swath of terrain, from Goodwood Bay to the Studley Park Landfill and the Pig Farm Road corridor in nearby Goldsborough. It was not until day nine of the search that investigators received a break in the case: new critical intelligence that led them back to Goodwood Bay, and ultimately prompted the confession from one of the seven people already in custody.

    According to official statements, the suspect told interrogators he killed Angelo by strangulation before disposing of the child’s body in Goodwood Bay. Investigators had planned to escort the suspect back to Goodwood village to map out key locations connected to the crime, but the detainee reported feeling ill mid-process, and was transported to the Accident and Emergency Department at Scarborough General Hospital for medical evaluation yesterday afternoon.

    Acting on the details provided in the confession, law enforcement and search teams have now shifted their operations to focus on stretches of Tobago’s northern coastline and adjacent offshore waters. As of yesterday, three women and four men remain in police custody in connection with the case. Investigators also brought Angelo’s mother, Kalifa Tobias, back to her Cambridge Trace home yesterday. Dressed in a white crime scene suit and accompanied by a heavy police escort including plainclothes officers, Tobias walked the property with investigators and pointed out specific areas of interest before being transported back to a police vehicle for departure.

    Separately, search teams followed up on another tip this week after a Pig Farm Road resident reported spotting a suspicious black bag at the bottom of a local precipice. HSRT leader Vallence Rambharat told reporters that rescue teams used specialized ropes to descend to the site to retrieve the bag, but confirmed its contents had no connection to the Angelo investigation. As of last night, the toddler’s body had not yet been recovered.

    In an official statement released earlier yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) acknowledged the investigation had reached a “critical turn.” Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishi Singh noted that the investigative team continues to work diligently and with professional rigor to reach a “clear and definitive outcome” for the case. The TTPS added that the ongoing probe remains a sensitive matter, and all enquiries are being conducted fairly, with full respect for the constitutional rights of every individual involved in the case. The investigation draws on resources from multiple specialized units across the TTPS, including the Special Victims Department, Tobago Division Gang Unit, Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Tobago Divisional Task Force, Canine Unit, and Criminal Records Office, with additional logistical support from the Tobago Emergency Management Agency and the HSRT. Police have renewed a public appeal for anyone with information about Angelo’s whereabouts to come forward, contacting the Scarborough Police Station, the national 555 emergency line, 800-TIPS, or Tobago 211.

    For the tight-knit community of Goodwood, the news of the confession has brought a wave of grief and unanswered questions, with residents gathering for nightly prayer vigils at Goodwood Bay. Local Pembroke resident Chandra Jerry broke down in tears during an interview yesterday, saying the prolonged wait for answers has left her exhausted. “I am emotional at the moment. I want to see the baby come out…so that I could feel good in my spirit. It’s getting tiring. I’m getting very weak at this point because we really want answers to this, and the only answer is to see the baby alive or dead to give us comfort,” Jerry said. “So it is a very sad moment for us; it’s day nine and no answers. I am fed up. I want the authorities to work faster, (he) confess, yes, but where is the baby? That’s what we want to know now. I believe in the power of prayer. God is working and prayer is the only solution.”

    Eighty-seven-year-old Goodwood resident Agnes Alleyne, who told reporters she had never witnessed such a tragedy in her lifetime, said the village will need significant time to process and heal from the shock. “I am feeling sad with the situation. The child is a very, very nice child, but I don’t know what happened,” Alleyne said. “They could heal but it will take some time, it will take some time. It’s a very sad situation right now because I have never seen such a thing in my life, never ever. It hurt me. I see my food… I cannot even eat my food. When I heard that this boy confess, it hurt me very much… Why did they not bring that child and give me, I would have adopted the child.”

  • ‘Petty thief’ killed by police

    ‘Petty thief’ killed by police

    A fatal police shooting in the Trinidad and Tobago community of Cunupia has sparked public dispute and calls for accountability, after 35-year-old Abdullah Joseph was killed by officers responding to a reported break-in early Thursday morning.

    According to an official statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the incident unfolded shortly after 4:30 a.m., when law enforcement received a tip that an unidentified man had accessed the property of a local family who were currently out of the country. Teams from the Central Division Task Force and the Cunupia Police Station were dispatched immediately to the scene. Upon arrival, officers reported hearing loud crashing noises coming from inside the vacant residence.

    When officers entered the home to investigate, the TTPS statement claims they were confronted by a mixed-race man brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, who advanced toward them. Facing what they assessed as immediate, life-threatening danger, officers followed departmental Use of Force Policy and opened fire on the suspect, striking him. Joseph was quickly rushed to the Chaguanas Health Facility for emergency care, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

    Following the incident, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro publicly praised the responding officers for their rapid action, and issued a sharp warning to individuals engaging in property crime across the nation. “Let this incident serve as an unmistakable warning to anyone who believes they can terrorise communities or violate the sanctity of people’s homes,” Guevarro said. “If you choose to arm yourselves, invade the homes of others, and confront law enforcement, you will face the full weight of the TTPS.” He added that officers would continue to act decisively, within the law, and without hesitation to protect residents’ lives, property, and community safety across Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing that home invasions are premeditated violent acts that will not be tolerated.

    But Joseph’s family, who live just a short distance from the shooting scene in Petersville, Cunupia, have pushed back sharply against the police narrative, demanding a full, independent investigation into the killing. Speaking on condition of anonymity, relatives acknowledged that Joseph had a history of petty theft, but insisted he never owned or carried a firearm of any kind. “Having a gun is out of the book for he (Joseph). I never know him to have a gun,” one relative told local outlet the Express.

    Relatives explained that Joseph had a pattern of entering abandoned or unoccupied homes in the area to sleep, and said this was the first time he had targeted an occupied residence. The family only learned of the shooting around 5:30 a.m., when neighbors alerted them to the incident a few homes away from their property. According to the relatives, neighbors reported hearing Joseph identify himself to officers before between five and seven gunshots were fired. Another relative criticized the use of lethal force, arguing that “They did not have to shoot to kill him. They could have shot him in the leg and held him. Yes, he was a known offender, but more for petty thief, and he didn’t have a weapon.” When they visited the scene after the shooting, the family said they found footprints on the interior wall, which they believe prove Joseph was attempting to flee the property rather than confront officers when he was shot.

    The caretaker of the targeted home, who spoke to the Express on the record, confirmed that Joseph had been caught trespassing on the property multiple times in the past, and had been warned repeatedly to stay away. He added that Joseph would frequently leave discarded garbage strewn across the yard during these intrusions. The caretaker described the shooting as a tragic outcome, and confirmed no members of the home’s owning family were present at the time of the incident, matching the initial police report. He told reporters he believes Joseph climbed onto the home’s roof using a makeshift step stool, and gained entry through a loose ceiling panel, an account supported by reporters’ observations of displaced ceiling tiles and footprints on the wall and window molding.

    When the caretaker arrived at the property around 8:30 a.m., he said Joseph’s body had already been removed by authorities. He told reporters he found ransacked drawers and blood stains in the home’s corridor, but as of Thursday, it remained unclear whether any items were stolen from the residence.