By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
” (Mansion Village, St. Kitts)”The police on St. Kitts have been summoned once again to investigate another murder, bringing the homicide total to date for 2008 higher than for all of 2007. Darren Gibson, 22, of Tabernacle was sitting on the side of the road in the vicinity of the Mansion Domino Club when he was fired upon by an assailant hiding in nearby bushes on Sept. 27 at 9:30 pm. He was transported to the Mary Charles Hospital in Molineux by private vehicle and later transferred to the JNF Hospital where he later died, a police report said. In 2007, the country recorded 16 murders. With three months remaining in the year, the seventeenth murder has been committed. In the last six weeks, four murders have been committed; two of them in four days.”” Four days before Mr. Gibson’s slaying, Kenneth Smithen, 48, of Nevis was gunned down on Craddock Road after leaving his home for work. Three suspects were held for Gibson’s murder but have since been released. Police are offering no information on this murder according to a family member. It is alleged that Mr. Gibson left his home in Tabernacle and went to live in Mansion.” “In terms of him dying, I don’t feel good,” a family member who wished to remain anonymous said. “We had a good relationship.” “I don’t know his friends but I believe he kept bad company. I don’t know who he lives with or hangs out with,” the family member said. “I only see him when he comes to visit us in Tabernacle.” Gibson used to work in construction, the family member said but at the time of his death she didn’t know whether or not he was working. The family member said that Gibson had been to prison before but that she doesn’t know of any motive for killing him. “I don’t want to go on hearsay. We are awaiting word from the police,” the family member said. “Repeated calls have been made by the private and public sector to the Government to be more proactive on the issue of crime. The Police are appealing to persons who may have information on these shootings to contact the Stapleton Police Station at telephone 465-2418 or the Tabernacle Police Station at 465- 7227.” Information received will be held in the strictest confidence.
