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CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC 鈥 Police say they have launched an investigation into the shooting deaths of two people and two others who have been hospitalised following a shooting at Wilton鈥檚 Yard in the heart of the capital, Castries, on Thursday night.
A statement issued by the police said that four people had sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and that 鈥渢wo of the individuals were later pronounced dead by medical officials鈥.
The police have identified those killed as Ika Jean Baptiste, 43 and 32-year-old Troya St. Martin, who is reported to have been seven months pregnant. The police have not identified those injured and are urging anyone with information on the incident to contact them.
Thursday night鈥檚 shooting followed that of 18-year-old Anthony 鈥淔lat Bush鈥 Cox of Soufriere on the west coast of the island, who was shot and killed on Sunday. One other person was injured.
Police said that four persons have since been detained, and on Friday, three of them were charged with murder and attempted murder.
The Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) on Friday said that they acknowledge the public鈥檚 concern following the recent spate of gun violence that has resulted in homicides over the past week.
鈥淭he RSLPF assures the public that we are fully mobilised and committed to restoring calm and public confidence in our communities. To address this recent surge, the RSLPF has intensified its efforts. We have increased patrols, conducted targeted operations and increased surveillance and monitoring,鈥 the police said in a statement.
The statement said that while the RSLPF 鈥渋ntensifies its security operations, public cooperation remains critical.
鈥淲e urge you, our community partners, to utilise the organisation鈥檚 various reporting platforms to provide information regarding recent incidents or any other criminal activity. You can contact the various community stations, or use our anonymous Crime Hotline at 555 or the Crime Hotline app. 鈥
The police have since extended their 鈥渟incere thanks to members of the public whose cooperation and timely sharing of information have been instrumental in advancing our investigations and solving some of the cases, thus far,鈥 promising to continue to provide regular updates as investigations progress.
鈥淭o those in conflict with the law 鈥 let this serve as a warning: continued involvement in criminal activity will have consequences. We understand that these events have caused fear and concern. We would like to remind our citizens that safety and order are shared responsibilities.
鈥淭he Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is doing everything within its power to ensure your protection, and we ask for your continued vigilance and support as we work to create a safer environment.鈥
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