Shootout takes place in Vieux Fort, one dead, several injured

One man was confirmed deceased in a flurry of bullets in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, and at least two others sustained lasting injuries.

Reports suggest that while the incident was taking place, Saint Lucia Fire Services (SLFS) first responders retreated for safety before eventually returning to the scene of the crime. Reports suggest that the shooting occurred around 8 pm on Thursday.

Two others have garnered gunshot injuries but have been reported to be in stable condition, they were transported to St Jude Hospital where several members of the community came together in the aftermath of the shooting.

Saint Lucia's firearm homicide rate was 21.8 cases per 100,000 people in 2020. In 2020, the country also had 52 intentional homicides, the highest number since 2010.

In 2021, the number of homicides increased to 75, and in 2022 it reached 76, breaking the homicide record for the second year in a row. In 2023, the police reported that most of the murders were gang-related.

In 2023, Saint Lucia also reported:

• 2,937 crimes against people
• 166 sexual offence cases
• 303 firearm cases
• 223 robberies
• 3,307 crimes against property
• 167 drug cases

The town of Vieux Fort in particular has been dealing with a gun violence epidemic, with residents gripped in fear and calling for the young people of the town to behave themselves.

The Saint Lucian government does not provide crime statistics on the basis of different cities, but if they did then Vieux Fort would likely be a prominent figure; especially considering that the Government of Canada advisory section on Saint Lucia updated late last month stated “Violent crime, including gun violence, has increased over the past year, particularly in Vieux Fort” The recent tragedy in Vieux Fort serves as a stark reminder that this is not just a statistical issue, but a human one impacting lives and communities. Addressing gun violence demands a comprehensive approach that tackles the issue on multiple fronts, from law enforcement to social intervention and community engagement. Only through a collective effort can Saint Lucia truly break the cycle of violence and create a safer future for all its citizens.