A 26-year-old Butu Mountain man died after a Sunday shooting in the area of The Edge Nightclub in Long Bush, police said.
Azim Yonnas — the fifth man killed by gunfire in the territory this year — was shot by an unknown assailant or assailants who subsequently fled the scene, according to Police Information Officer Akia Thomas. Police received a report of the shooting at about 10:30 p.m., and they responded “right away,” Ms. Thomas stated.
Mr. Yonnas was transported to the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to police, who did not provide further details about the incident.
No arrests had been reported as of Beacon press time yesterday afternoon, but police said they are investigating the incident.
“Officers of the Major Incident Team are determined to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice,” a police press release stated.
Fifth shooting death
The shooting death is the fifth this year.
On the afternoon of Feb. 6, Yan Edwards, who himself was facing a murder charge for a 2011 killing, succumbed to gunshot wounds he sustained at Parham Town in East End. Two people have been charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the ongoing investigation into the incident, but no murder charges have been announced.
Less than a week after Mr. Edwards was killed, St. Vincent and the Grenadines native Jahkeem Christopher was shot to death on Feb. 12 near the House of Assembly building in Road Town, police said.
Murder charge
In connection with Mr. Christopher’s death, Greenland resident Hasani Frett was charged with murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, police said.
On April 30, Kemo Lettsome, 37, of Long Look, was fatally wounded in a shooting at a Long Look residence near The Stickett, police said. No arrests have been announced.
About a month later, Vicardo “Scar” Farrell, a 33-year-old resident of Major Bay, was shot early in the morning of May 27 in the Manchester area, and he subsequently died from his injuries, according to the Police Information Office.
Mr. Farrell was previously charged with the 2016 murder of Devern “Snoopy” Stanley, but he was set free after a High Court judge ruled last November that there was insufficient evidence against him. No murder charge has been announced in connection with Mr. Farrell’s killing.