CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Sept 3, CMC – Less than a week after National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere spoke of a decline in the number of murders so far this year, police have reported five killings in as many days.
Law enforcement authorities said that four people, including Special Police Constable Lookan Lesmond, 42, were killed over the weekend.
Police Commissioner Vernon Francois said Lesmond, who was shot in the head with his own revolver, may have been killed as a result of domestic violence and that his wife is assisting in the investigations.
Police were also investigating the murder of 24-year-old Miguel Augustine, who was shot and killed at a bus stop in the capital on Monday.
The police are working on the theory that the killing may be linked to the shooting death of Lester Francis last Thursday as he sat in a vehicle at Bois D’Orange, north of here. An unidentified man was also injured during that incident.
Police said that 30-year-old Evantius Francis from the east coast village of Dennery was shot and killed in an apparent drug deal gone sour.
Police said they are also investigating the death of businessman Patrick Stephen who died after the vehicle he was driving crashed over a precipice on the west coast of the island.
Last week La Corbiniere said citizens were feeling “much safer than a year ago” and praised law enforcement authorities for being successful in curbing criminal activities on the island.
La Corbiniere said there had been a significant decrease in violent crime and police slayings so far this year.
So far this year, there have been 27 murders compared to 32 for the corresponding period.
