Police have launched an urgent manhunt for the suspects behind the deaths of four people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a Caribbean island nation. Four people were gunned down on Friday amid escalating gang warfare, and a fifth killing took place on Saturday, police said, though authorities have yet to establish whether it is connected to Friday's incident.
Officers Find Bodies in Green Hill
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said officers responded to reports of gunshots in Green Hill, a district just outside the capital Kingstown. Acting Police Commissioner Trevor Bailey said: "Two bodies were met lying on the public road, the body of a female was discovered in a vehicle that was parked on the public road, and on an adjacent piece of land another body was discovered."
Bailey confirmed the victims bore what appeared to be bullet wounds. Four others were wounded in the attack, with two remaining in hospital. No arrests have been made, and officers are still working to establish what sparked the crime. Police confirmed they recorded another murder on Saturday and are probing potential links to Friday evening's bloodshed.
Minister Condemns Killings
St. Clair Leacock, the national security minister, slammed the "unfortunate" and "unnecessary" killings during an interview with local broadcaster NBC Radio on Saturday. He stated that while St. Vincent and the Grenadines remains a peaceful nation, gang violence has blighted many communities.
Police have reported 37 murders this year in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a country with a population of 110,000. The former British colony consists of 32 islands and cays in the eastern Caribbean and has long depended on tourism as its primary source of revenue.
The small archipelago is famed for its volcanic landscapes, pristine coral reefs and white sandy beaches, making it a favourite among yachting enthusiasts. It also boasts several private islands that cater to the wealthy and well-known. "These homicides create a serious nightmare for us," Leacock said.
