By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts) – Just three days after the official opening of Carnival, three separate shooting incidents – two on Nevis and one on St. Kitts – have left three men injured. On Dec.21 at about 3:45 a.m., police on St. Kitts responded to a report of shooting on the lawn near the pond at Frigate Bay. Investigations revealed that Calvert Laws and a female companion were in a car which was parked, when three armed masked men approached the car and shot Mr. Laws multiple times before fleeing the scene, a press release from the Police said. Mr. Laws was transported to the JNF Hospital by the Emergency Medical Services where he is detained in stable condition. The other two shooting incidents took place on Nevis. The first shooting took place at Marion Avenue, Charlestown. At about 12:25 a.m., police responded to a report of shooting. Investigations revealed that Akeem Edwards, alias Ackbal, 23, was walking along the road when he was shot in the knee by an unknown assailant. He was taken to the Alexandra Hospital. The second occurred at about 2:30 a.m. Police responded to a report of shooting on the island main road at Qualie. Investigations revealed that Kelvin Kelly of Holmes Hill, Gingerland, parked his car on the side of the road and exited the vehicle. While he was there, he was shot in the back by an unknown assailant. “He was taken to the Alexandra Hospital where he was detained in critical condition. Investigations are ongoing and no suspects are in custody at this time. Police are appealing to persons with information about these crimes to call the Frigate Bay Police Station at 465-6899, the Cotton Ground Police Station at 469-5391 or the Criminal Investigation Department at 469-5391. Information received will be treated with strict confidence. The shootings come on the heels of the hanging of Charles Elroy LaPlace on December 19 for the brutal slaying of his wife, Diana LaPlace, in 2004. With 23 murders to date for the year, Prime Minister Douglas, in a statement delivered in Parliament on December 19 on the hanging of Mr. LaPlace, said that he wanted a deterrent to crime and that his administration will support the death penalty. With the carnival season just beginning, many people have expressed concern and fear over the criminal wave sweeping the country. Around this time of Christmas and Carnival, motor vehicle accidents are more likely to take place as people drink and drive. The Traffic Department of the Police cautions motorists to take care on the roads especially at this time of year.
