This St. Joseph Convent School student sustained stab wounds while she was being robbed of her cell phone recently.

In light of recent concerns about robbers preying on students in District Three, particularly at the Leon Hess Comprehensive School, Education Minister Dr. Robert Lewis is promising increased police presence in the area.

The minister told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview today (June 12) that he plans to meet with Minister of Home Affairs Victor Lacobniniere to discuss this plan in greater detail and to beef up security in the district.

“Because of the increased occurrence of students being stopped on the streets after school and their possessions are being taken from them by criminal elements… I think it would be very good for the police to have a greater presence between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.,” the minister explained, pointing out that about 1500 students from the district would traverse the area whenever school is dismissed in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, in referring to the issue where people have suggested that the laptops given to students are attracting bandits, the education minister said that issue has been dismissed.

“And that’s commendable that the report showed that students were not been unduly affected by having the laptops with them,” he added.

Commenting on the recent attack  on a St. Joseph Convent female student, Dr. Lewis said it is sad that students are still being attacked and seriously injured.

The police, principal and teachers of the schools within District Three, including the Leon Hess Secondary School, have been on high alert after receiving report that bandits have been robbing students of cell phones and other possessions near the school in the past several weeks.

The school’s principal Rohan Lubon told SNO in a previous interview that the robberies are usually done at knife point in the afternoons after students are dismissed from school.

Lubon said this is not the first time these incidents have occurred. They have been a spate of robberies in the area some time ago, which also affected two other schools in the district – the St Joseph Convent and Entrepot Secondary School, among two others.

The school’s principal said the number of robberies has increased. There were reports of four robberies on students in the area during the past month.

Lubon said while he has seen an increased police presence in recent times, the robbers have become strategic in their actions.

Students have been cautioned to walk in groups and to wait on the compound for buses.

An 18-year-old man from Pavee, Castries is now in police custody in connection with the stabbing of a 15-year-old George Charles Secondary School student in Pavee on Thursday afternoon.

The suspect turned himself into the police at about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, the victim, Felicity Florton of Chase Gardens, Castries was hospitalised in serious condition after she sustained multiple stab wounds.

Residents reportedly saw Florton running and screaming for help while bleeding profusely at around 3 p.m. Thursday.

The motive for the stabbing is not yet clear.

“I was walking down the road…. I saw this young lady running out of the alley, screaming and blood all over her face and body… I kept asking her what happen. She wouldn’t say anything. After a while she fell… then one or two neighbours came around… and they assisted her. The police was passing at the same time, they stopped, called 911, (then the) ambulance reached,”said an eyewitness who claimed he was one of the first persons on the scene.

Residents told St. Lucia News Online that the student identified her attacker.

“Then somebody was asking her ‘who did it? who did it?’ and then she mentioned a person’s name,” the source added.

Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the teenager sustained multiple stab wounds to her face, abdomen, one between her legs and another on her wrist.

The resident said the man accused of stabbing the student apparently “tripped out” and is of unstable mind. The resident however refused to identify the suspect’s name and house in fear of jeopardising the safety of her two young daughters.

A Pavee resident also shared what he witnessed on his Facebook profile: “They just attack a George Charles girl outside my home deh, leaving her on the ground bleeding. Now I heard the person screaming (and) I thought it was the girls that always making noise. After a while I go check… seeing the girl on the ground bleeding. Whoever do it run. Choops. A lil school girl like that and just leave the person child bleeding deh.”

This is the second female student to be attacked in Castries within 10 days.

On Tuesday, June 3 at about 3:15 p.m., 16-year-old Nichole Elibox of the St. Joseph Convent School sustained stab wounds to both hands while trying to fight off a male attacker from taking her cell phone.

The perpetrator escaped with her cell phone. No one has been arrested to date for that incident.

A “very close family friend” has come out in defense of the guardians of Serena Cox amid criticisms that the 13-year-old ran away from home because of possible ill treatment.

Serena was found unharmed Wednesday evening in Union, Castries after she went missing for almost two weeks.

The family friend, who requested anonymity, said she was “shocked” by the statements made by bloggers on St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

“I was recently on your site and shocked at what some people were writing,” she said.

The friend said Serena was well taken care of.

“Hell no! Serena was not being mistreated at the guardians’ house. She had a room to herself, new clothes and shoes, food to eat and they loved her as her own. She would lie on her bed as she watched television and slept on her guardian’s lap at church,” she added.

The friend further stated that the guardians also helped Serena with her homework and “ensured she had what she needed for school – new shoes, socks, ribbons etc”.

However, the rules were strict for Serena who had been living with her guardians since April following the death of her mother from liver failure. Social Services entrusted Serena in the care of the guardians.

“The guardians live in a good community so there were no negative influences around her. She was encouraged to speak with and see her friends; however she was not allowed to bring boys to the house or go on dates as she had frequently requested.

“Coming from a home with little to no structure, she did not respect the rules of the house and did not seem to understand that her guardians could not allow her to go certain places or engage in certain activities for her own well-being.

“They (the guardians) were not aware of Serena’s deep-rooted problems. It was only after she disappeared that they found out it was not her first time doing such and of some of the activities she engaged in.

“In my opinion she is the perfect definition of an at-risk teen. Her behaviour did not stem from her mother’s death as they are just finding out. She has been displaying such behaviour for a while,” the family friend explained.

SNO disclosed to Serena’s guardians, the comments made by the family friend. However, the guardians refused to elaborate on the comments, saying only that they have been doing their best for Serena and are happy she was found unharmed.

The guardians also told SNO that Serena came into a “deeply-rooted” Christian home and nothing but the best was given to her.

“We have requested to remain anonymous as her disappearance had taken quite a toll on my mom, not because we had not done anything wrong as some have assumed,” said one of the guardians.

They are thankful to everyone who assisted in the search for Serena.

The guardians also told SNO that they’re not aware – as yet – of anyone being held responsible for Serena’s disappearance.

“I would like to again thank the media, the police, human services and the public for their support and assistance. All we wanted was for her to be found unharmed which is the ending that we got,” the guardian said.

Meanwhile, the family friend said she too is happy that Serena is now confirmed safe but emphasised that despite all the good treatement “I don’t think she (Serena) appreciated what they got her”.

Police have not released any details surrounding Serena’s whereabouts and current location. The guardians are also clueless.

“The RSLPF would like to thank persons who assisted in locating her. This is the direction that the police and community should head into, the ability to work together. Thank you to all,” the police stated in a Facebook post this morning.

SNO first reported that Cox had disappeared from her guardian’s home at Caye Mange, Gros Islet. She was last seen by her guardian at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

The RSLPF is appealing to members of the public to inform a family member or friend of their whereabouts whenever they wish to leave their place of dwelling for extended periods.

The victim of a shooting at Bexon in the wee hours of this morning has been identified as 28-year-old Miguel Edward of Grand Riviere, Gros Islet.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent told Saint Lucia News Online Edward sustained one gun shot wound and has been ‎hospitalised at Victoria Hospital.

The police are pursuing suspects in this matter.

The incident reportedly occurred around 1:30 a.m today (June 13) at a karaoke bar located at the entrance of Marc, Bexon.

Residents are tight lipped about the ‎incident. One man told SNO, “we don’t give that kind of information here … in the gully we keep things tight.”

Residents reported hearing a series of gunshots around 1:20 a.m. at the Marc gap.

After the calm, St. Lucia News Online (SNO) was told that two men, who were believed to have been released from jail this year, allegedly exchanged gunfire as a result of a heated argument over a young girl at the bar.

According to police, information revealed that Edward was present at a social activity at Bexon when shots were fired in his direction, one of which made contact with him.

“All that happened over a woman,” said a resident who lives nearby. “There is this Thursday night jam at the Marc gap… everyone was having a good time, suddenly two guys had an argument over this young girl. They fired shots at each other. Trigger-happy guys but no one got hurt.”

The resident said a few people from the club ran under her house for cover as the shots rang out.

Another resident told SNO that she heard the shots.

“I just got home and 10 gunshots got fired by the road. Thank God  I am home,” she said. “We always think we’re safe at home and that was just walking distance. ”

“Just heard another one but it’s not too close,” she added. “It woke my daughter up.”

Police at the central base in Castries city confirmed receiving and responding to the report of the shooting.

Serena Cox.

A 19-year-old man is now in police custody, accused of harbouring 13-year-old Serena Cox, who allegedly ran away from her Gros Islet home last month.

A source close to the family said that Serena was found in a home that was occupied by three young men at Union, Castries on June 11.

The source told St Lucia News Online (SNO) that the 19-year-old man was the only one at the house with Serena at that time of the arrest.

Serena had disappeared from her guardian’s home on the evening of May 31. She was found by police at Union after they received information of her whereabouts.

When asked to shed some light on the matter, Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent said she will not be able to provide any information regarding Cox case, especially since she is a minor.

However, the guardian told SNO that she is happy for Serena’s return, and she will leave the matter up to the relevant authorities.

A relative told SNO in a previous interview, “Hell no! Serena was not being mistreated at the guardians’ house. She had a room to herself, new clothes and shoes, food to eat and they loved her as her own. She would lie on her bed as she watched television and slept on her guardian’s lap at church.”

Serena is currently in the care of the Human Services Ministry as further investigations into the matter are being carried out.

Principal of the George Charles Secondary School Walstau Alfred said he is deeply saddened by Thursday’s stabbing of one of his Third Form students at Pavee, Castries yesterday afternoon.

Alfred told St Lucia News Online (SNO) it is very unfortunate for a student to be attacked in full public view.

“People seems to be deteriorating so much; their whole capacity or mental capacity to handle any situation or deal with a person in a sociable way… It is unfortunate and we are saddened by it,” he added.

Alfred said that from information received the 15-year-old Felicity Florton is in a stable condition and is slowly recovering from her injuries.

Residents reportedly saw Florton running and screaming for help while bleeding profusely on the street at around 3 p.m. Thursday.

One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the teenager sustained multiple stab wounds to her face, abdomen, one between her legs and another on her wrist. This is the second female student to be attacked in Castries within 10 days.

The suspect turned himself into the police at about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Pavee residents surround Felicity Florton after she was stabbed multiple times.

PRESS RELEASE - Eighteen-year-old Stephon Joseph of  Pavee, Castries has been charged for the attempted murder of 15-year-old Felicity Florton of Carielle, Castries.

Police said Joseph is expected to appear before the First District Court in Castries on Monday, June 16, 2014.

Joseph was arrested by police on Thursday, June 12, 2014 after he attacked Florton, stabbing her multiple times.

Florton was taken to Victoria Hospital where she was admitted in a serious condition.

Serena Cox

A 19-year- old man from Union, Castries, accused of harbouring 13-year-old Serena Cox, is expected to be charged today.

Sources told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the man was expected to be charged on Friday, but the matter was put forward to today. The source said the investigators will not reveal the identity of the 19-year-old until he is charged.

Meanwhile, Cox remains in care of the Human Services Ministry. It is unclear whether the 13-year-old will return home to her relatives.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel innocent told SNO that the case will not be publicised by the police, especially since the matter involves a minor. Innocent said such matters are kept confidential at all times.

A source close to the family said that Serena was found in a home occupied by three young men at Union, Castries on June 11. The source told SNO that the 19-year-old man was the only one at the house with Serena at that time of the arrest.

Serena had disappeared from her guardian’s home on the evening of May 31. She was found by police at Union after they received information of her whereabouts.

Simon Gabriel.

A man fatally shot by police in Vieux Fort this morning has been identified as Simon Gabriel.

Gabriel is reportedly mentally-challenged. Residents reported to police that he was being a nuisance.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the matter is a police shooting but she has no further details at this time.

More details later.

Stephon Joseph. 

Fifteen-year-old Felicity Florton – a student of St. Georges Secondary School – who was brutally stabbed by a young man in Pavee, Castries had shared a relationship with her accused attacker.

The victim’s mother, Heather Charles told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview today (June 16) that her daughter admitted to having a previous relationship with 18-year-old Stephon Joseph, who is alleged to have stabbed her and left her bleeding on the roadside.

Charles said that Florton and the accused were friends. She recalled her daughter had just started secondary school when she met Joseph, who was at the time a third form student. However, Charles said once she had given her daughter a cellular phone, she realised the two were communicating often than normal and it soon became out of hand.

Charles claimed she had warned her daughter not to speak with any boys, since she realised that her daughter was on the phone “day and night.”

After she had a serious discussion with her daughter about cutting communication with Joseph, Charles said she was under the impression they had stopped talking since she never heard anything about the young man again.

“She told him that his mother said to stay away from her and ended all ties with the young man,” Charles said, according to the impression Florton gave her. However, Charles told SNO that in a recent conversation with her daughter at her hospital bed, she told her what happened on the day of her attack.

Florton told her mother that Joseph met her at Blue Coral Mall, grabbed her hand and said he wanted to speak with her. They were walking towards Pavee, Castries.

However, Charles said, “I believe when he took her hand and she realised where he was taking her and she turn her back and run back to town that is when he stabbed her… she had a mind like he wanted to rape her or something … or have sex with him … When she reached for a stone and looked up to pelt him, she was stabbed in the eye.”

By that time, Florton was unable to see properly because of the out pour of blood on her face. She was again stabbed several times, before she started shouting for help. She was unable to move.

She reportedly sustained 11 stab wounds. Charles said she is worried about her daughter’s condition. The most serious wound was to her back. Her lungs are ruptured as a result and has caused severe internal bleeding, the health professionals have told the woman.

“They say if it doesn’t stop bleeding she will have to do a major operation between life and death. I only hoping that they don’t,” Charles lamented

On Sunday, doctors had to provide Florton with oxygen because she was having difficulty breathing.

“They had to put the tube in another place, because the blood was coming out of it,” Charles explained.

The teenage girl has already had seven x-rays done on her eye. “But when I left, they had to take her to the ex-tray room yesterday. This morning when I went there she wasn’t there; the Cuban doctor was treating her eye. When they brought her back in they rushed her to the emergency room but she is not aware what it is for.”

Charles said she is happy to hear that Joseph was charged for attempted murder. The woman told SNO she would like to see that he is given the full penalty for his action.

Simon Gabriel

Relatives of Simon Gabriel, a mentally ill man, who was shot and killed by police earlier today (June 16) at La Ressource, Vieux Fort, claims that he was killed “cold-bloodedly”.

The deceased’s cousin, Simone Gabriel, told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview that she witnessed what took place, describing it as a “cruel act” on the part of the police.

Simone said the incident could have been avoided if the police acted in a more responsible manner.

According to her, a report was made to the police by relatives to assist them in taking Simon to the hospital for treatment. Simone said this is usually done by relatives whenever they realise that Simon is in need of medical care.

Simon has been mentally ill for the past 20 years. However, Simone told SNO that when the team of police officers arrived, they were heavily armed with guns “as though they were looking for a criminal”. The woman said the dead man’s mother, Doreen Gabriel, explained to the officers that he is not violent.

Simon was apparently seated close to his mother’s home. But, when he saw the police he grabbed two stones and held it in his hands.

Simone explained that upon seeing that, the police took their guns and started pointing it to Simon. She recalled that Simon’s mother said, “Don’t shoot… don’t shoot, he is not violent.”

“So I too was charging at the police…’don’t shoot…he is not violent or dangerous’. By the time he surrendered the police shot him cold-blood… three bullets… close range. Not that he was running… they shot him like an animal.”

Simone claims that her cousin was not armed with anything except the two stones because he was afraid of the police, especially since they were armed with guns.

“In front of the mother the police shot the guy. They intended to kill; not even his foot, that’s police brutality… They have to be trained to deal with people. They have criminals that are out there that need to be dealt with in that way… who have guns, who have guns, who do people bad things, who rob people and enter people house and kill people just like that… The guy was just mental, “she added.

Simone said her cousin does not have a criminal record or was ever convicted of a crime.

Simon would usually sleep in town and every day he goes to his mother for food. Later in the evening, he goes to Vieux Fort town.

Relatives said he would do small chores for people in the area.

Human rights lawyer Mary Francis

Human Rights activist and attorney-at-law Mary Francis has condemned the killing of a mentally challenged man in Vieux Fort on Monday (June 16) by police, saying that from her observations “the force used was disproportionate to the threat”.

“I think it’s happening too frequently that persons who are mentally challenged lose their lives at the hands of the police simply because the police do not have the required training and then they could not be bothered. They act to me recklessly,” Francis told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in an exclusive interview today (June 17).

Francis said yesterday’s incident calls into question the rights of the mentally challenged people.

“It is also a question of police and the use of guns as a last resort because this is what the law requires, you only use a gun as a last resort measure when your life is under serious threat, and he didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with such a situation,” she added. “This is madness on the part of the police. That is to me is excessive force and there has to be a proper inquiry and maybe the family may want to sue the state.”

Francis said while it a norm for the police to be called in to apprehend the mentally challenged, whether by family members or persons in the community, “most times when you hear of those fatal shootings, police are involved.”

She said the police officers’ defense most times is that they were under attack, which led them to shoot and kill the person. She argued that the man wasn’t thinking rationally, which is why the matter should have been dealt with differently.

In addition, Francis said the St. Lucia government needs to act fast to implement procedures that will deal with such matters.

She has recommended the training of officers to deal with the mentally challenged and have them posted at major police stations.

The humans rights activist explained that this issue has however been discussed for many years. She recalled attending a Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) workshop back in 2003 that looked specifically at dealing with such matters.

“Those matters have been spoken of over and over again but they have not found a solution to the problem,” she remarked.

At one time, she said government was looking at using tasers for these cases, but after several discussions, no measure was put in place. To date, nothing has been done to find another alternative.

Meanwhile, relatives of the mentally challenged man, Simon Gabriel, have claimed that he was killed “cold-bloodedly”.

The relatives of the deceased told SNO that the police could have shot him in his foot. However, they claimed that the man was shot three times close-range. This happened even while, the mother of the deceased pleaded with the police not to shot him and explained to them that he is not violent.

The relatives had called the police for assistance to get Simon medical care at the Mental Wellness Centre.

Cannabis

A Jamaican national was yesterday (June 16) granted $1,500 bail for drug charges when he appeared in a Magistrate’s Court.

Police said Brian Stephens James was charged for for  possession of marijuana, cultivating and possession with intent to supply.

James was arrested by Richfond police on Friday, June 2014 during an operation.

Reports are that officers observed James in an “open place” at La Pearle in La Ressource. While searching James they found a small amount of cannabis, as well as a scissors and “bits and pieces” of marijuana in his nearby surroundings. This prompted the officers to search his house where they found more of the illegal drug.

The total value of the drug confiscated is $400.

Police sources say the Jamaican is also being investigated by the Immigration Department for overstaying.

Laporte

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has confirmed the death of 39-year-old Lucius Laporte of New Village, Castries.

Information suggests that about 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, whilst at the intersection of Anse Ger and Desruisseaux, Micoud, Laporte and a known individual were involved in an altercation.

As a result of that altercation, Laporte, also known as Marcus, sustained a stab wound and was transported to St. Jude Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

One man is currently in police custody pending investigations.

Laporte was an employee of the Statistics Department.

After Laporte was stabbed, the alleged attacker was subdued by residents and his hands tied behind his back.

Scene of the crime.

The slain driver attached to the government’s Statistics Department had an altercation with the killer, investigations have revealed.

Eyewitnesses told St Lucia News Online (SNO) that they saw the driver, 39-year-old Lucius Laporte aka Marcus of New Village, Castries pulled brakes at the Anse Ger gap (he was northbound), came out of his vehicle and approached a man.

Laporte and the man started to exchange words. Soon after, the man (killer) reportedly pulled out  pulled out a scissors and started pointing it at the driver. The two started a scuffle. They ended up over the road and the attacker started stabbing him.

According to the eyewitnesses, Laporte was stabbed by the same man in a previous confrontation. The attacker had served a jail sentence for the crime.

A food vendor, who also witnessed the stabbing, said she was too afraid to watch.

She told SNO she ran for cover from the stones that were being pelted by the driver.

A burglar on an apparent cash hunt broken into the Zion Hill Pentecostal Church in Choiseul last Friday (June 13), but only left with $20.

Staff were the first to realise the building had been burglarised when they went to open it that morning.

A church official said she believes that the perpetrator (s) went into the building thinkingthere was a significant sum of money stored inside. However, the perpetrator got just twenty dollars in coins.

Access to the building was gained through the toilet door, which had not been locked. From there, the thief is believed to have gone inside the church office via an aluminum window.

The office section of the church was ransacked however musical instruments which were stored there were untouched.

“We’re just grateful no one took the instruments,” the church official added.

Police are investigating.

A scene from the march.

Hundreds of Saint Lucians took to the streets of Vieux-Fort, Friday, with placards and slogans to raise awareness on the issue of elder abuse, and to recognise the contribution that elders have made to national development.

Organisers of the march stressed that the abuse of vulnerable seniors is inhumane, and that steps should be taken to improve the care that elderly persons receive.

“Elder abuse is something that is becoming an issue in Saint Lucia,” Director of the Division of Human Services, Elizabeth Lewis said.

“We have been receiving increased reports of elder abuse, and in many cases that we have seen, the abuse is coming from family members,” she continued. “It is our intention to raise awareness so that people can recognize that kind of behavior cannot continue. Elders are persons we need to cherish and respect. They have contributed to our communities.”

Manager of the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home Charmaine Hippolyte-Thomas highlighted the need to improve the care of elderly persons.

“I think that all of us are in a position to care for our elders and to be their advocates, thereby preventing them from becoming vulnerable to perpetrators of abuse. We want to eradicate the abuse of the older, more vulnerable persons in our communities; so we have to be their voice and see to it that they are not recipients of abuse of any kind.”

The march was the culmination of a series of events hosted in communities around the island in observance of Elder Abuse Prevention Month.

A drive-by shooting took place near the Morne Du Don Combined School this morning (June 18), however, no word yet regarding any injuries.

Residents told a Saint Lucia News Online team currently in the area that some men on a vehicle were in an exchange of gunfire with other men on the road.

The men in the vehicle subsequently had to run out of the vehicle for cover.

Eyewitnesses say police came on the scene and seized the vehicle. The whereabouts of the people involved in the exchange of gunfire are unknown.

The police press officer has confirmed that shots were fired, but no injuries reported.

Further detail will be provided as it becomes available

PRESS RELEASE - The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) is categorically denying claims that a 14-year-old resident of La Pansee, Castries was assaulted by police officers on Saturday June 14, 2014.

Information suggests that the 14 year old male was the alleged perpetrator of a robbery on Friday June 13, 2014. This same individual was allegedly involved in carrying out an assault with a noxious substance on an individual on Saturday June 14, 2014. Both incidents happened at La Pansee, Castries.

About 5:50 p.m. on Saturday June 14, 2014 the alleged perpetrator was captured by his alleged victims and handed over to police officers. He appeared to have some injuries. These injuries were not inflicted by the police including during the time the alleged perpetrator was detained in custody.

On Monday, June 18, 2014 the suspect was charged for the offence of stealing from person and is expected to appear before the Juvenile Court in Castries to be bailed.

A second charge of assault with a Noxious Substance will also be laid against him soon.