By L.K. Hewlett
St. Kitts Reporter
Sean Brookes is lucky to be alive today since gunmen have now made two attempts to shoot the twenty-one-year-old St. Peter’s resident.
In the early hours of Monday morning, police responded to a report of gunshots being fired in the area. Upon arrival at the scene, they found Brookes wounded, shot in his leg.
He was taken to the J.N.F. Hospital where he remains in stable condition.
Just two weeks ago police had responded to a similar report at the same residence, and found Brookes’ older sister Delsia shot in the hip. Sources said the young woman was asleep in the family house when a gunman or gunmen opened fire through her bedroom window. Speculation was rife that the assailants had meant to either kill her brother or shoot her as a warning to him. Delsia was treated and released from the hospital.
Police have not divulged any possible motive for the attacks and are said to be investigating both matters.
Gun slinging has become rampant of late and citizens fear for their lives. Many have expressed concern that the police are doing nothing to curb the violent surge that seems to have clutched the Federation.
The shooting spree began some weeks ago and so far two young men have been murdered with a few fortunate enough to have survived. Although it is rumored that the ‘bad boys’ are killing off each other, residents are still concerned as many of the shootings have occurred in public places and in the presence of unsuspecting persons going about their daily routines.
Nowhere is safe from the bandits as they open fire at crowded bus stops, during motorcades and in busy shops on main roads.
Minister of National Security Hon. Dwyer Astaphan has described the incidents as degrading to our nation and assured citizens that initiatives are being undertaken to ensure their safety.
The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis also addressed the current crime situation in the federation during his post-Cabinet briefing on Monday.
“The Cabinet received today a report from the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, and the Ministry of National Security, on the current crime situation in the country, and endorsed the specific recommendations, that had been expressed by the Police High Command yesterday evening.
“We also expressed our support to the police and the security forces in general, in their efforts to stem the tide of criminal activity at this particular time. Cabinet reflected on the need for our citizens and for the community in general, to be true partners in fighting crime in the country, and called on the public to collaborate with the police and the security forces and provide relevant timely information, that can assist in this current situation in preventing and in the detection of crime.”
