By Monique Washington
The recent “attempted robbery” and murder of Nevis’ businessman Garfield “Gary” Claxton has sparked outcries by political ministers and some NGOs
Claxton, a Stoney Grove resident, was gunned down on Monday afternoon around 2:30p.m. on Jessup’s Beach. It is alleged that other persons were on the beach waiting for fishermen to return with their daily catch when one or more assailants with a gun approached from nearby bushes. The Observer visited the scene on Monday and noted police vehicles, personnel from the different police stations on the island, as Army investigators were on the site. The Observe was told by a person who claimed to be nearby when the incident occurred that they heard three shots fired.
According to the official police report “Initial investigations revealed that the victim was shot by an unknown assailant or assailants during an attempted robbery. He was pronounced dead on the scene.”
Claxton, has joinedotherNevis businessmen robbed and killed in the past18 months. Huuelo “Pabbie” Hanley was shot near his Nevis home during an alleged robbery in April 2015.Electrician Albert Myers was found dead in his Stoney Grove home in what appeared to have been a robbery in August 2015. No arrests have been made in any of these murders.
Former Prime Minister and Minister of National Security the RT Hon. Dr. DenzilDouglas on Wednesday called a radio program and emphasized that “Our youths are bleeding and dying.”
“Our country, gripped in a crime crisis is being ridiculed, and our tourism economy is hurting,” Hon. Dr. Denzil said. “This is due to not only the negative press from unfortunate utterances like ‘St Kitts and Nevis is the Murder Capital of the World’ attributed to international artiste Fifty Cents in a U.S. Talk Show, but also from the media coverage that these double murders and continuous gun violence are attracting on the internet through the World Wide Web.”
Save SKN, a non-governmental organizationissued a press release commending the police force for having their officers trained by experts, but noted that crime cannot be fixed “overnight.”
“We also understand that this will not solve the crime problem overnight or even in the near future,” the release said. “In light of the recent spate of murders, wounding, and shooting incidents, it would seem that the people of the Federation have a right to fear.”
“SAVE SKN, however, would like to extend the challenge to the Opposition, the churches, NGO’s, and society in general to eliminate the societal problems that lead to young men joining gangs,” the release continued.“If we can make each child aware of his or her worth as a human being, provide him or her with respect and dignity, we will solve the problem. There are government programs designed for this purpose and many churches, as well as groups and individuals who also help. Families need to love their children and make their children aware of that love.”
