A 30-year-old Mc Knight resident was shot dead on Monday night in what some claim was a case of mistaken identity.

Police are investigating the shooting death of Sylvester Lee, which occurred on the doorsteps of “Wy’s” shop on Central Fiennes Avenue at about 10:30 p.m.

According to area residents, the young father of two was “liming” at the head of an alley next to the shop when a car drove by and gunshots erupted from inside the vehicle. When the smoke cleared Lee lay face down in the shop’s doorway. Police confirmed that he had been shot multiple times about his body, and died on the scene. However, police sources would not confirm the report of the incident being a drive-by shooting.

Police PRO Inspector Vaughan Henderson told The Observer that police had released all the information they were prepared to about the death of the Water Department worker.

“We are not prepared to say anything more on what transpired as it is an open homicide investigation. The scene was processed by officers of the Crime Scene Department and a number of spent shells and other items of evidential value were collected and taken into police custody for analysis,” he informed.

Persons living as far away as Lime Kiln reported hearing the gunplay, describing it as “loud,” and involved “a lot of shots”. One individual said that Lee was “disgusting” but was not involved in any gang activities.

“He lived up that same avenue but used to lime down by the shop with those fellows. Word down McKnight is that because he was tall and slim, the gunmen mistake him for a guy they have been trying to kill for a while now who lives in the area. As far as I know Lee was never into no gang thing. He had baby-mamma drama from time to time but that was about it,” she said.

Lee’s death brings the Federation’s 2010 homicide toll to 15 thus far.

Also shot during the same incident was Devon Jeffers of Trafalgar Village. He received gunshots in both legs and was transported to the JNF Hospital in private vehicle where he underwent emergency surgery and remains warded in stable condition. Police are investigating his shooting as an attempted homicide.

Within a half hour that same evening another report of gunfire was called in to police; this time at the West Basseterre By-pass Road. Police report that 28-year-old Jahmari Lake of Shadwell was at the western end of the West Basseterre By-Pass Road when an unknown gun man exited a car and shot him in his leg. Lake was taken to the JNF Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.

The gunplay in St. Kitts surged late last week with an attempted murder on Tuesday, 25th May. Police responded to a report of shooting which occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. at Newtown. Investigations revealed that 23-year-old Shamon Herbert of Mad House Alley was shot multiple times. Sources told The Observer that four masked gunmen shot the young man several times and left him for dead slumped in a corner of a Newtown yard. Herbert underwent emergency surgery and was warded at the JNF hospital in stable condition. About 6 hours later police responded to a report made by an anonymous caller of gunshots heard at Mad House Alley, Newtown. Upon investigations police discovered a number of spent shells but there were no visible signs of damage to property in the area, and no injuries were reported. The spent shells were taken into police custody for further analysis.

On Saturday, 29th, May, Erastus “Ras T” Peets narrowly escaped death after a drive-by shooting left him wounded and bleeding near the Bay Road bus terminal. Police were alerted to the 5 a.m. shooting by an anonymous caller. According to information related to this media house, Peets and his mother, a fruit and vegetable vendor, were just setting up their stall opposite the C&C Supermarket when a car pulled up and someone inside opened fire.

The John England Village resident was shot in his right foot and lower side of his back. He was transported to the JN France Hospital in a private vehicle. Peets underwent emergency surgery and according to information relayed by a family member, the bullets passed through his body without causing any major damage. He remains warded in stable condition.

Later that same night, at approximately 11:40 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting which occurred at Millionaire Street, St. Johnston Village. Investigations revealed that Joel Phillip,16, of Laguerite Village and 19-year-old Theon Audain of Haynes Smith Village were shot and injured. Phillip was shot in the right lower instep, and sustained minor injuries. Audain was shot in the back of his head, ear and left shoulder.

Audain was transported to the JNF Hospital in police vehicle where he underwent emergency surgery and was warded in stable condition. Phillip was treated and discharged.

Police are also investigating a reported stabbing which occurred last Friday at about 4:30 p.m. According to police, 20-year-old Jason Henderson of Keys Village walked into the Basseterre Police Station bleeding profusely and reported that while he was at Upper College Street Ghaut he was attacked by a male and stabbed with a knife.

“Police responded to the report and investigations revealed that Henderson was stabbed in his head with a knife used by his attacker. Henderson was transported to the JNF Hospital in private vehicle where he was treated and warded in stable condition,” a police report stated. Police took one suspect into custody relating to the wounding.

There have been no arrests in any of the shooting incidents. Police investigations are ongoing.