Statement by BLP on shootings

The following statement was issued by the Opposition Barbados Labour Party’s Shadow Attorney General Dale Marshall in response to today’s spate of shootings.

TODAY, THE WHOLE of Barbados was dealt another blow to our collective souls and minds.

While we do not yet have the full details, we know that there have been multiple shootings in several locations, including on Spring Garden Highway, with the many thousands of revellers and spectators.

There are reports of one fatality. The reports of the numbers of injured are rising steadily, and we are now hearing of as many as 13 people having been shot.

By morning, the information will have crystalised, but what is certain is that a beautiful day has been marred beyond repair. This is not the Barbadian way, nor is it how we behave. We know that, but we want those of you visiting us to know that this is a total aberration.

While the long-term effects of today’s incidents will now have to be reckoned with, our immediate concern is with the family and friends of injured individuals. We reach out to them and we urge all Barbadians to do the same.

The injured people live in your communities, go to your churches, and are your friends. Reach out to them at this time and offer needed comfort and calm.

The police, of course, will be busying themselves with their investigations. I do want to say that the men and women of the force put on an impressive showing today and made us all feel safe along the route. I wish to thank them for their hard work.

I do not back away in any way from my statements made last week. Barbados and Crop Over belongs to us all and we must not surrender to the forces who would seek to destroy our country and our way of life. (PR)