PM: Double homicide under investigation, warns of gang violence risk
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says police are probing a possible link between gang activity and the killing of two teenagers this week, as he pointed to earlier efforts to defuse tensions among rival groups.
Speaking on his weekly radio programme, Browne said investigators are examining whether the fatal shooting is connected to past clashes between groups in Gray’s Farm and Villa, areas that had previously seen heightened violence.
The prime minister stopped short of confirming a direct link but recalled intervening about two years ago when tensions escalated between rival gangs. He said he met with young men involved and delivered a blunt warning about the consequences of their actions.
“I was very frank with them here. When I met them, I said, ‘Look, it’s one of two outcomes, you know.’ He’s either going to jail or in the grave. So make up your mind, take your pick,” Browne said.
Browne noted that many of those individuals he spoke to chose to change course, returning to school and pursuing more positive paths.
“Admittedly, most of them took the advice… went back to school, they’re doing well, and we’re proud of them,” he said.
However, he said a small number did not heed the warning, with tragic consequences.
“But we had one or two… a handful of them who didn’t take the advice. And, you know, exactly what we warned them,” Browne added, expressing sympathy for the families affected.
He extended condolences to the relatives of the two teenagers killed, saying that regardless of circumstances, “there’s no reason why anybody should just snuff out their life like that.”
Browne said efforts would continue to steer at-risk youth away from crime, including outreach and support for education and employment, while police pursue those responsible for the killings.
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If you put a plaster on a diabetic sore you are sure to lose your foot.
There was a gang problem.
Rather than allowing the right agency and putting measures in place to deal with it Gaston Browne sought to politicize it.
He dealt with it through political lenses.
He offered the worse possible advice to troubled youth in possession with firearms.
One thing I know is that criminals NEVER dispose of their firearms.
They hide them for future need and use.
So there was a lull in gun crimes.
It’s been a few years since.
The dragon is raising its head again.
Gun crime and youth violence is on the up and our youths are now losing their lives.
When the devil takes residence in a land it doesn’t flee.
Until Gaston Browne apologises to the nation for his advise to troubled youth as it relates to their firearms the land will bleed.
Then to compound the problem he “freed up the weed”.
Youths are walking around on air.
They are not conscious of their surroundings.
The police are handicapped.
Crime is excused for votes.
I dare anyone in government to deny that instructions were sent to the police to not arrest anyone for public smoking.
All that just for a vote to remain in power.
The same man who saw a lost generation at the court has compounded the problem.
Antigua is drifting out in open waters without compass, sail nor oar.
To those politicians who have betrayed this fair land your day cometh.
Fire and brimstone shall be your portion.
You will live long, painful and torment lives.
Remnants of the Redshirt gang and other rival gangs are still in full swing. There needs to be a stoppage of the influx of guns and drugs in this country. It is widely speculated about who the culprits are but, blind ears and deaf eyes are activated, conveniently. Our children are killing each other for supremacy of nothing! Most of them are uneducated, living in poverty or being bullied and coerced to carry those random, evil acts on their rivals. There are some parents who know what their children are doing while some hardworking mothers (especially) are clueless. The government needs to take this spiral in gun crimes, more seriously. Put in place a designated team of military and police personnel, specifically trained to respond to the crime hotspots in the country. Most of the gun crimes nowadays, are committed by teenagers. Legislate laws to deal with young criminals especially, where firearms are involved. People need to walk, stand and chit chat anywhere and to live in peace in their homes.
The family shouldn’t allow Gaston to play police and FBI and create conspiracy over the loss of their love ones they are presently grieving about, what he is doing he is using these crisis to his benefit to win election like the did with akazia and chantel and others, the police and judiciary should ask him to desist from using the influence of the office of the prime minister to opinionate the present investigation and thereby rendering the police and their working morale useless. The next Gaston movie action is to break down in tears and offer monies to help with investigation if he has not done that as yet. The same akazia mother whom they placate and calm down to keep quiet at times realizing the political stunt just burst out onto public cry for answers to her daughters death, so too they used the ALP aspirant in to calm the Chantel crump parents to are speaking out now the political pampering has disappeared.