Lucius Laporte.

The man accused of stabbing, Lucius Laporte, a driver attached to Government’s Statistics Department, will make his first court appearance on Friday to face the capital offence of murder.

Thirty-four-year-old Samuel Joseph of Cannelle, Micoud who previously resided at Rock Hall, Marchand  is accused of stabbing Laporte to death.

Inspector Chitolie of Micoud Police Station told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today that they are awaiting the post-mortem results of the deceased.

The post-mortem will likely be conducted on Friday, since the local pathologist is off-island, he informed.

Reports are that Joseph and the deceased had an altercation, which led Joseph to stab Laporte several times.

Eyewitnesses subdued the accused and tied his hands behind his back, while they waited for the police to arrive. He is currently behind bars.

The deceased’s girlfriend and his 10 year-old son. * SNO photo.

The girlfriend of Lucius “Marcus” Laporte who was stabbed to death in Micoud, has described him as a “good Samaritan” and claims that his attacker would harass him.

Wilma Peter, in an exclusive interview with Saint Lucia News Online today, said to the New Village neighbourhood her boyfriend was known to always give a helping hand.

She said she is still trying to come to grips with her boyfriend’s death.

Peter told SNO that the man accused of stabbing her boyfriend this week once lived in the neighbourhood, and had previously stabbed Laporte.

The accused, Sammy Joseph is known to beg on the street corners, Peter said. According to her, Laporte would try to provide some assistance to the man.

“He has a soft heart, he use to see him there without food and he use to be cooking for him,” she stated.

The distraught woman said Sammy’s brother had beaten him badly, leaving him with bruises all over his body. She claimed Laporte had pleaded with his brother to stop beating Sammy. That incident was before Laporte was first attacked in 2012.

The woman told SNO that her husband’s first attack happened when Laporote, “heard somebody walking behind him and he turned and he saw that the man was aiming for his neck with a big knife. He said he swing but he was stabbed to his hands and it grazed his neck.”

Joseph was sentenced to three months in jail for this matter. Peter said he also spent another three months at the Mental Wellness Centre.

Peter also claimed Laporte had reported to police that he was being harassed by Joseph.

She recalled that her boyfriend had told her of an incident where he was driving on the Vieux Fort Highway and noticed someone flagging down his vehicle, but when he stopped he saw it was Joseph.

“Every time the fella would see my boyfriend on the road he would still try and attack him. I think he was out to get him, ’till he finally succeeded,” she told SNO. Peter is still questioning what wrong her boyfriend did.

Asked to describe her boyfriend, Peter said, “If you know him, he is the kind of person who is quite and he would answer you with a smile. He was a very nice person. He was cool, calm, down to earth, jovial and friendly. I cannot say anything bad about him; he never interfered with people or troubled people …  He would burn CD’s and DVD’s for people and even worked as a part time Disc Jockey (DJ) for several parties of his friends and relatives for free,” she said .

Peter and Laporte lived together in their home. They have been together for almost two decades, and share a 10-year-old son.

Peter said she is now contemplating what she will do to earn a living since he was the breadwinner of the family. He also has a 16-year-old-son from another relationship.

Neighbours also described Laporte as amicable.

The head table at the opening of the two-week session.

A handful of supervisory police in Saint Lucia, Barbados and five other Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries within the Regional Security System (RSS) have converged at the Palm Haven Hotel for a “Supervisory Management Train the Trainers Course.”

The two-week session is being organised by the RSS with funding from the Canadian government.

Director of Training for the RSS, Yvonne Alexander told media that the course comes as a result of a needs assessment conducted among RSS members states in 2009/2010. The assessment, according to her, identified weak leadership capabilities within police forces.

Director of Training for the RSS, Yvonne Alexander

Management capacity was labeled as either limited or lacking on three levels: supervisors, middle to senior level managers and top leadership/senior commands of police forces.

Through the training, the RSS is seeking to address this particular concern. The course is being done in three phases in order to target each level of workers.

“You would appreciate that leadership would be at the forefront of any initiative to address the issue of crime and security in any country,” she said, adding that, “If you do not have very good and decisive leaders [who are] strategic in their thinking… then possibilities are that the efforts that are geared at controlling crime may not reap the benefits.”

The lawmen being trained within the next two weeks will have the responsibility to pass on the knowledge in their respective police forces once they are deemed certified.

“We [the RSS] realise targeting three to four individuals per country will not necessarily allow the kind of impact that we would like to see over a short period of time so it was decided that we will do a “train the trainers,” she said.

Chief instructors, other instructors of the various police training schools, along with officers with tertiary level education in management studies will also benefit from the “train the trainers” course.

It is hoped the participants will be introduced to the concept of adult learning and other idiosyncrasies that will allow them to be holistic instructors, Alexander said.

Participants will in the second week of training be required to deliver on different topics enclosed in the course syllabus for which they will be assessed.

While St. Lucia and the other countries have possession of the course syllabus, the RSS plans to conduct its own courses annually and hopes to target at least 25-30 supervisors per country annually.

“Hopefully the general public will begin to reap the benefits because you will have much more effective and efficient supervision of the types of services and service delivery of the various police forces and we hope to the benefit of the general public,” Alexander said.

“[We hope] people will see probably some of the more positive changes that will come out of this initiative that we are embarking on and hopefully we will have safer countries, safer region. This is like a drop in the bucket, but it is a drop that we hope its ripples will have tremendous benefits in the next few years, for our police forces and out region,” she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Police Commissioner Errol Alexander called on trainees to make the best of the training which comes at a cost. This, he said, will help send out the message that the programme is worthwhile and would attract further funding from donors.

A stolen 1995 Hyundai car was discovered in Balata, hours after it was reported missing by its owner from Trois Piton (Ti Rocher area).

The vehicle was believed to have been stolen between Sunday night and early Monday morning.

The thieves took several parts from the vehicle, including the Pioneer deck, radiator, door handles/handles battery.

Florton surrounded by Pavee residents after she was stabbed by an 18-year-old man.

Fifteen-year-old Felicity Florton, who was brutally stabbed in Pavee, Castries by a former schoolmate of the George Charles Secondary School on Thursday (June 12), is scheduled to undergo a major surgery this week.

Doctors had said the surgery is a matter of life and death and that the teenager has a 50/50 chance of survival. However, at the same time, the surgery is necessary to stop the bleeding, which Florton has been experiencing since she was admitted at Victoria Hospital.

The teenager’s mother, Heather Charles of  Carielle, Castries, told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today (June 24) that the doctor requested to see her today and upon visiting him she was told that her daughter must undergo surgery.

According to mother, the doctor suspects that there may be a hole in Florton’s lungs. However, a risky surgery is the only option at this time to find the place of the bleeding and to hopefully stop it.

Charles is hoping that Florton comes out of the surgery successful, but noted that her daughter’s condition has deteriorated over the past few days.

“I break down this morning when I heard she have to do the surgery because I wasn’t expecting that. She has been going through so much and to go through that again is heartbreaking,” Charles said.

The teen’s mother had told SNO in a previous interview that she is hoping Florton does not have to undergo the surgery, as she is not prepared for a negative outcome.

Asked how the teenager has responded to news that she has to undergo a surgery, Charles said her daughter is saddened.

“She is just crying all the time,” Charles said, adding that she has spoken to the hospital’s counselor to check up on her daughter.

Florton was stabbed 11 times by 18-year-old Stephon Joseph who was charged with attempted murder and eventually granted bail.

Florton had undergone a successful eye surgery, but continues to have problems breathing.

Ray George aka Benzy Man

A St. Lucian man was gunned down in neighbouring Martinique in the wee hours of Sunday morning (June 22) as he allegedly arrived to defend his sister in a dispute at a fete.

Ray George aka Benzy Man, originally from Mon Repos, St. Lucia, was shot about six times at Route de la Folie, Fort de France around 4 a.m. Sunday. He died on the spot.

The alleged perpetrators, believed be French nationals, were taken into police custody.

Reports are that the 26-year-old father of two sons was called to the scene of a dispute which involved his sister.

“His sister was in a fight with some girls in a dance for a cup of Champagne that fell on her. She called her brother (Ray) for assistance. When he came to the scene two fellas gun-shot him. When we reach he was already dead,” said a source.

Another source said George was shot before he could get off his motorcycle.

The deceased was described as a “very quiet fella”.

“He never had problems according to his friends and family,” the source added.

Linus Constantine.

STATEMENT - The National Youth Council (NYC) stands in solidarity with the family, friends and relatives of Linus Constantine.

Linus Constantine was a former youth parliamentarian and an ambitious young leader who has been missing for over three months with surrounding claims that he may have been the victim of a gruesome murder – a truth now only short of DNA evidence to identify a partially decomposed body.

Despite the need to be patient in such an unusual case, the NYC believes that closure on this case is needed after such a long period and with so much information giving alternate evidence to the identification of the young man.

As we witness another session of youth parliament today, the NYC wishes to encourage youth to align themselves to positivity and to take interest in activities which enhances leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and other areas of self development, and to avoid finding themselves in situations or environments that compromise their life and general safety.

From the Public Relations of NYC

EDITOR’S NOTE: The decomposed body of what police described as a young male was discovered on the Marisule beach in Gros Islet on Tuesday, April 15 at about 2 p.m. News that Linus Constantine was missing for two weeks was reported on April 27 by St. Lucia News Online. Constantine’s parents gave police “DNA mouth swabs” on April 28. According to the mother, she was told that the results may be ready in one or two weeks. To this date, police have not officially identified the body in Marisule.

Homicide victim: Shervon Alexis. * Photo submitted

The two persons who were detained for questioning in relation to the fatal shooting of Shervon Chris Alexis aka “Chunky” in Faux-A-Chaud, Castries have been released pending further investigations, Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent has confirmed.

Innocent said police have no other suspect but noted that investigations continue. It is unclear when the two persons were released.

The 27-year-old was shot at about 11:30 p.m. on June 11 while he sat near the entrance of his house in an area called “The Slab”.

Reports are that he was shot once in the chest but other shots were fired. Residents rushed him to Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to eyewitnesses, the gunman was wearing a mask.

Residents alleged that Alexis was earlier in the week involved in a dispute in which a cutlass was brought into play, but still do not believe this may have caused his demise.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that Alexis was granted bail from prison prior to the shooting.

Alexis and Trandy Henry aka Cripple were charged with the attempted murder of Venus Raymond (age 26 at the time) of Trouya, Gros Islet. Raymond sustained gunshot wounds in Faux-A-Chaud on Dec. 14, 2012 at about 4:45 p.m.

Several Faux-A-Chaud residents believed that Alexis’ death was not related to Raymond’s shooting. Sources had told SNO that Alexis and close relatives have been embroiled in a bitter dispute with other persons in the area long before Raymond’s shooting. According to the sources, tensions were heightened on the weekend prior to the murder and resulted in several arguments and altercations between the deceased and other persons.

Residents had expressed fear that the shooting may spark another gang war in the Faux-A-Chaud/Hospital Road area which resulted in at least four homicides and several other non-fatal shootings over the past year.

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

District Three Education Officer Francella Laurencine has said there have been no further reports of robberies against students in the area since the last incident.

Laurencine told St Lucia News Online (SNO) in an interview yesterday (June 25) that security has been beefed up within the district as promised by Education Minister Dr. Robert Lewis.

A St. Joseph’s Convent student was previously robbed of her cell phone and stabbed by a young man after school.

Laurencine told SNO that following that incident an emergency meeting was called to discuss the issue. She along with principals from all of the primary and secondary schools within the district and two police units were part of the discussions. The Marchand Police Station gave its full support. Since then, security in the area, she said, has increased and the increased police presence is making it hard for bandits to lurk around.

Patrols are being done between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily.

“It is not only between 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Yes, some of the schools in the district dismiss around 2:30 p.m.  to 2:35 p.m. and there is also one that dismisses at 3 p.m., but between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. that is not the only time that they are leaving their school compound to go home,” she explained.

Laurencine said principals have said that students now feel safer with the increased police presence and are no longer restricted from using their phones if they need to after school.

Asked whether the patrols will be temporary or permanent, Laurencine said the schools and district education office had requested that the heightened security continues on long-term.

“We did speak about consistency in the patrols being conducted, because if there is any stop, then there will be an opportunity for those persons to come back,” the official told SNO.

PRESS RELEASE - On Sunday, June 22, 2014, officers attached to the Dennery, Micoud and Richfond Police Stations conducted a joint operation at Aux Lyon, Dennery. During the operation, four search warrants were executed on houses in the area.

At house #1, officers recovered a black bag containing dry plant material suspected to be cannabis. Two persons were arrested.

At house #2, a bag containing dry green plant material was recovered. One person was arrested.

At house #3, a bag containing green plant material and a 12-gauge shot gun were recovered. Also, a number of marijuana plants were discovered growing to the back of the dwelling house. One person was arrested.

At house #4, the residence was unoccupied. The assistance of a Justice of the Peace was sought. Upon entry officers recovered five bails containing dry plants material.

All occupants and the substances found at the houses were transported to Richfond Police Station.

Brent, Kenius and Jonathan Brin, all of Aux Lyon, Dennery were charged for the offences of possession of a controlled drug and intent to supply a controlled drug.

A woman washes away blood stains from a sidewalk on Coral Street, Castries following a stabbing incident around 1 p.m.

A man known as “Valence” has been admitted to Victoria Hospital in serious condition following a stabbing incident around 1 p.m. today on Coral Street, Castries.

Reports are that the man was stabbed by a young female (about 15 years old) who hails from Trois Piton. She is currently in police custody.

Sources say the man was stabbed in the neck area. It is suspected that a broken bottle was used to inflict the injury.

An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she was in her “friend’s tray” when the stabbing took place.

“She stabbed him for his own icicles,” the eyewitness alleged. “His name is Valence. He sells icicles for a living. She broke a Guinness bottle and stabbed him with it.”

When asked what may have led to the stabbing, the eyewitness further alleged: “She was accused of stealing his icicles and when he confronted her, she took the bottle from a lady’s tray nearby, broke it and stabbed him. I am still shaken about this. That’s cruel.”

Police sources say the teenager was in danger of being beaten by the public and had to be whisked away by a police officer.

“The crowd was way too hyper. They (police officers) had to get the girl out of there,” the source said. ”There was quite a lot of blood.”

Ray George aka Benzy Man

The sister of a St. Lucian man who was fatally shot in Martinique recently has disclosed briefly the incident leading up to her brother’s death.

Liodona George, who spoke to St. Lucia News Online via another person because of her inability to speak fluent English, attempted to clear the air amid criticisms that her brother Ray George, aka Benzy Man would have been alive if she hadn’t called him to defend her in an altercation over spilled champagne.

However, the sister explained that her life was in danger and the issue was far more complicated than spilled champagne.

Liodona explained that she was at a house party when a girl “sent a glass of champagne in her face”. During the altercation, Liodona claimed she was also dragged and beaten by several men.

Liodona alleged that she was kicked repeatedly and one of the men held a gun to her head.

After the fight, Liodona called her brother, Ray George, and told him that they had held her at gunpoint.

George was the father of two sons.

Ray arrived sooner but was greeted with gunfire around 4 a.m.

Liodona said her brother got the first two shots in his back. He was also shot in his stomach.

“In all he got six bullets and died on the spot,” she said, adding that the killers were French.

Two men were held in police custody for the shooting. It is not yet known if they have been released.

Ray George, who was originally from Mon Repos, St. Lucia, was the father of two sons.

The deceased was described as a “very quiet fella” who never had problems with anyone.

Scene of the stabbing.

Fifteen-year-old Felicity Florton, who was brutally stabbed by a former schoolmate of the George Charles Secondary School, underwent a successful surgery on Thursday.

However, the teen is still a patient of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Victoria Hospital.

Florton was stabbed multiple times in Pavee, Castries by 18-year-old Stephon Joseph of  Pavee, Castries, on Thursday (June 12). She sustained 11 stab wounds, one of which ruptured her lungs.

Doctors had said the surgery would be a matter of life and death and that the teenager had a 50/50 chance of survival. The surgery was done to stop the internal bleeding.

The teen’s mother, Heather Charles, told St Lucia News Online (SNO) today (June 27) that doctors were able to locate the puncture (hole) that was causing Florton to bleed internally. Charles had expressed fear that her daughter might not survive the surgery because of her frail condition.

Charles told SNO that she is thankful her daughter underwent the surgery successfully. However, she noted that Florton is still having difficulty breathing.

“It has become even worst after the surgery was completed,” Charles added.

She said Florton has not eaten anything for the past few days. Last week she was fed small portions of liquid and semi-solid food.

It is unclear how long it could take before she recovers from the surgery.

The state-of-the-art Babonneau Police Station was officially opened on Monday, July 22, 2013.

Officers at the Babonneau Police Station are gearing up to host activities in observance of the station’s one-year anniversary.

A full day of events have been planned for Sunday, June 29, 2014 in that regard.

A parade, church service and family fun day at Skyrides St. Lucia Aerial Tram compound are among the major events planned for the day.

Things will kick off with the church service at 8 a.m. at the Babonneau Catholic Church and culminate at the tram park in Chassin. All 500 tickets for tram rides, which were sold at a discounted price of $5, have been sold out.

The tickets were made available to the police for sale at this special rate by management of the tram as part of the company’s efforts to give back to the community. Such a gesture has been done a few years before, and according to the tram’s manager Kevin Shank, “we just thought it’s something that we should get back into”.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards community projects.

Speaking to Saint Lucia News Online (SNO) Sargent Fabien Montoute said it has been a relatively “quiet” year for police at the station. This he attributes to good relations between the police and general public.

“We have a good rapport with the community, with community policing. Whatever we do, we do with the partnership of the Babonneau constituency – the schools, the nurses from the area, the priests, the pastors, everybody … So we have a very good understanding of the various problems that exist in the community and we’re working in partnership with everybody to solve these problems. So we had a very quiet year due to the fact that the community policing efforts is reaping rewards,” he said.

The Babonneau Police station was officially opened on July 22, 2013.

Speaking to media ahead of the launch last year, Police Chief Vernon Francois said the new station would significantly enhance the capability of law enforcement by reducing police response times.

“With a police station now in the district of Babonneau, we will again have an excellent opportunity for police officers to interact with community groups, youth clubs, churches and other organisations in Babonneau in an effort to deliver more effective policing,” Francis said.

A black Nissan Tida, 2011 model (PE9461) was stolen Sunday night (June 29) from the Entrepot, Castries area.

The vehicle was last seen by the owner at 11:35 p.m. on Sunday.

The owner said: “Whomever took the vehicle please return it, not necessarily in the spot where you took it, but drop it somewhere. Someone can see it and report the matter.”

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the nearest police station.

Reports of motor vehicle theft have been increasing. Below are some of the latest incidents.

Monday, June 23: A stolen 1995 Hyundai car was discovered in Balata hours after it was reported missing by its owner from Trois Piton (Ti Rocher area). The vehicle was believed to have been stolen between Sunday night and early Monday morning. The thieves took several parts from the vehicle, including the Pioneer deck, radiator, door handles/handles battery.

Wednesday, June 4: There is no happy ending for a Corinth woman who recently lost her 2008 Daihatsu Terios to theft. The shell of the vehicle was found in the bushes outside of Babonneau today, June 4, 2014. Virginia Auguiste confirmed that the Terios, registration HG 2129, which was stolen from her home while she slept on May 26, was found in one location while some other parts such as the engine and gear stick were recovered at another location.

Wednesday, June 4: A Toyota AE100 has been reported stolen as of this Wednesday morning (June 4). The owner of the vehicle, Samuel Alexander of Morne Du Don, told St Lucia News Online (SNO) his wife first discovered the vehicle missing around 6 a.m., when she opened their apartment door and did not see it parked in the front yard.

Notorious criminal Yolanda Frederick, also known as  Jordan, who was recently released from prison in connection with a murder and attempted murder case, was fatally shot Tuesday (July 1)  in Leslie Land, Castries, in the vicinity of the Marian Home for the elderly.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting is not yet clear.

The 35-year-old, who is originally from La Clery but resided at Leslie Land, was on a poster/list of St. Lucia’s notorious criminals which was in circulation just over three years ago.

In 2010, Frederick was remanded at Bordelais Correctional Facility after being charged for the murder of 52-year-old Justus Cenott of Agard, Morne Du Don, Castries and the  attempted murder of 16-year-old Kershell Jn. Marie.

The incident occurred on August 27, 2010 at about 9 p.m. at Agard when two masked men approached a group of people attending a barbeque and fired shots in their direction.

Cenott, proprietor of a shop in the area, was shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at Victoria Hospital. Jn. Marie was shot in the head during the incident.

Four other persons were injured in the incident. Frederick was also charged with using a firearm with intent.

Kershell Jn. Marie’s eight-year-old sister, Marissa Jn. Marie, was eventually shot and killed during a shooting spree in La Clery, Castries just over a month later (October 2010) while Frederick was still in prison.

St. Lucia News Online understands that Frederick was released from prison earlier this year after the matter against him was dismissed.

Although having the name of a female, Frederick’s sex has always been a source of contention, hence whenever she/he had to spend time in penal custody, she/he had to be placed outside the general prison population.

Cox. * Photo credit: I-Witness News

I-Witness News in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is reporting that a St. Lucian man was arrested and a large quantity of marijuana and guns seized during an early-morning raid on Sunday, June 29 by a special police unit.

Reports are that the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), known in St. Vincent as the ‘Black Squad’ because of their black uniforms, conducted a raid in the McKie Mountains at Richmond on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of Thaddeus Cox of St. Lucia, and the seizure of 192,496 grammes (424 pounds) of marijuana, two semi-automatic pistols and a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun.

I-Witness News reported that, “According to information received, the patrol unit from the RRU, led by corporal Dallaway was in the mountain around 7:10 a.m. when they observed the St. Lucian, Thaddeus Cox, emerge from a hut. When Cox looked in the direction of the law officers he began to run.

“He was pursued, caught and taken back to the hut. The hut was searched and the law officers found 10 nylon sacks containing 30 taped packages of the controlled drug. They also found the shotgun on a bunk and the two semiautomatic pistols under a pillow on the bunk.”

I-Witness News reported that the St. Lucian was taken before the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday, charged with possessing 192,496 grammes of marijuana, possessing the shotgun and one charge each of possessing the pistols.

“He initially pleaded guilty and then minutes later changed his plea,” the online newspaper reported.

Cox was remanded into custody pending a trial.

“The matter has been transferred to the Serious Offences Court and he is scheduled to appear there on July 9,” I-Witness News reported.

The St. Lucian reportedly told police that he came to St. Vincent one month ago and was staying with someone called “Brigo.”

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution wishes to inform the following individuals that they should report to its office at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 rather than the original date of July, 7, 2014.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution is located upstairs the RBTT building on Micoud Street, Castries.

1) Bradley Arthur of Ravine Toutwelle, Castries

2) Jeremie Alexander Richardson of Rock Hall, Castries

3) Hudson Kelly of Waterworks, Castries

4) Seageant 479 Jearson Charlemagne of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force

5) WPC 76 Janna Williams of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force

Also, Marie Claudia Angelier whose last known address was Marchand is asked to report to the High Court in Castries on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 9 a.m.

If persons are listening to this broadcast, they are advised to follow the said instructions.

Kershell Jn. Marie lost her right arm and function in a part of her face in one shooting, and lost her 8-year-old sister in another shooting 45 days later, in 2010.

Almost four years ago on August 27, 2010 at about 9 p.m., 16-year-old Kershell Jn. Marie was enjoying a Piton beer while chatting with a friend at a barbeque in Agard, Morne Du Don, Castries when two masked gunmen approached and began spraying bullets.

At least six people sustained injuries.

The organiser of the social gathering and shop owner, 52-year-old Justus Cenott of Agard, was caught in the crossfire, sustaining a bullet wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at Victoria Hospital.

Kershell – the suspected target of the ‘hit’ – was shot multiple times: one in her right arm, which resulted in its amputation; one in her leg, one in her shoulder and two in her head.

Miraculously, Kershell survived. However tragedy struck again, 45 days later on Oct, 11, 2010 at her home in the La Clery CDC.

At about 2:30 a.m. while Kershell and her family slept, two masked men broke into the house and began spraying bullets.

Kershell’s eight-year-old sister, Marissa Jn. Marie, who was sleeping by their mother, was shot several times. Their mother also sustained gunshot wounds.

Kershell’s father was gun-butted during a struggle.

All three were taken to Victoria Hospital where Kershell’s father was treated and discharged and her mother admitted in critical condition.

Eight-year-old Marissa was pronounced dead.

Yolanda Frederick of La Clery, Castries was charged in connection with the previous shooting in Agard, and was in prison at the time of the La Clery shooting.

But Frederick, 35, who was released from prison earlier this year, was fatally shot at about 8 p.m. in Leslie Land, Castries on Tuesday, July 1. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are not yet clear.

To Kershell, has been finally justice served.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) was able to track down Kershell who took to social media to express her joy shortly after Frederick’s death. Kershell, who is now 20 and living overseas, has vowed never to return to the land of birth.

She spoke with SNO exclusively in an interview about her nightmarish experiences in St. Lucia as a victim of gun violence, as well as detailing her road to recovery.

She made it clear that she wanted everything to be published.

SEE THE DETAILED INTERVIEW BELIEW with SNO’s chief editor Merrick Andrews:

SNO: How do you feel about the death of Yolanda Frederick who was initially charged with your shooting?
Kershell: I feel great and happy justice was finally served. I’m good; just about to finish college then its work flow.

SNO: How did you hear about the news of his death and what was your initial reaction?
Kershell: My friend (in St. Lucia) told me on BBM (Blackberry Messenger) about after 9, minutes to 10 p.m., and my first reaction was laughter, and I said ‘hesalop, one more to go’. But when I read your news and saw my name I cried because I felt like I was going back to the worse day in my life. The other guy that shot me – karma has no schedule.

SNO: What injuries did you sustain in the shooting in 2010 and how old were you at the time?
Kershell: I was 16 years old. I lost my right arm, got one shot in my leg, one on my shoulder and the other two in my head.

SNO: How long were you hospitalised for? How long has it taken to recover from the physical injuries?
Kershell:About two years but I’m still not fully recovered.

Kershell now uses a prosthetic right arm.

SNO: You said you’re not fully recovered. In what aspects?
Kershell: The facial nerves on the left side of my face are not working like they should and will take a while till they recover or might never recover, but I’m planning to go for a surgery when I’m done with college.

SNO: At the time you got shot, which school were you attending?
Kershell: I was getting ready to go to Form 5 in September (2010) at Sir Ira Simmons.

SNO: What do you remember from the day of the shooting? Who was holding the barbeque?
Kershell: The man who died was the one holding the BBQ, Mr. Bobby. And I can’t remember exactly what happened because of the shots in my head, but the last thing I can remember is I was drinking a Piton beer and talking to a friend. I was unconscious and I have no memory of what took place.

SNO: At the time of the shooting (in Agard, Morne Du Don, Castries) what was your place of residence?
Kershell: La Clery, Castries.

SNO: How many shooters were there and were you able to identify any of the shooters?
Kershell: Two (shooters), and no because I was unconscious but I got to know who it was after and knew who set it up and why.

SNO: Do you believe you were the target of the shooting?
Kershell: I don’t think. I know for a fact 10000% that I was the main target in the shooting.

SNO: What happened to the case? Were you a witness for the prosecution in the Agard shooting? I understand that Yolanda was recently released from prison.
Kershell: I don’t know what happened to the case and I was never a witness, since I never recalled what happened. And yes he just got out of jail in late February (2014). And I was happy he got out because I knew he has a lot of enemies out there who wanted him gone as bad as I did.

Kershell: I don’t think it was related. I know it was related.

SNO: Do you believe that your sister’s shooting was a “message” to get you not to testify?
Kershell: It was a message to get me murdered for wanting to testify against the man that sexually assaulted me.

SNO: So you’re revealing that you were sexually assaulted by a man prior to the shooting?
Kershell: Yes, one of the (four) guys that were shot (and killed) by the police in Vieux Fort. He was the one that told his boys to roll. Some may deny it till this day but I know for a fact it was him. He was their boss.

SNO: Do you believe he (the man killed in Vieux Fort) ordered the hit on you?
Kershell: Yes because after the shooting took place he wanted to pay me to shut up. I heard he planned to kill my mum that night and said if he got to take all of us one time, he would. He planned to kill my mum because she showed up in the court on my behalf for the sexual assault, so he assumed she was the one pushing to go through with the case.

SNO: When your eight-year-old sister was killed were you still in hospital in St. Lucia?
Kershell: No. I was at home hiding under my bed. I was hearing the shots

SNO: And where was your sister? How was she shot? And who was at home? Explain what happened the day your sister was killed.
Kershell: She was in the room next to my mum and nephew. My dad was in his room and my older sis and I were in my room. We came from a get-together at my uncle’s place about after 1 or 12 a.m. then went to bed about an hour or more later. My dad heard them banging the door etc.”

Kershell (left) before losing her right arm and her sister, Marissa (now deceased)

SNO: What happened after?
Kershell: They came in and began firing one time and went straight to my mum room. They continued firing shots then went to my dad room next, and he fought with one of the guys while he had the gun, trying to stab (the gunman) but he (the gunman) had a bullet proof vest, that’s why the knife couldn’t go through. And then the other one came and gave my dad some gun butts on his head and they ran.

SNO: About how many guys attacked the family that night (when your sister was killed)? And how did they get in?
Kershell: Two guys. They broke the back door. I can’t remember if they shot it open.

SNO: Where was your (eight-year-old) sister at the time?
Kershell: Sleeping by my mum.

SNO: Did she get shot while sleeping or did she wake up during the shooting? And where was she shot (on her body)?
Kershell: Yes she woke up calling my mother I think. I am not sure (where she got shot) because they refused to give me information due to my recent injuries. The doctors did not know how I would react… I went in and found out on my own, which killed me inside. After all that I’ve lost, the worst of it all is losing my lil sister.

SNO: How many children does your parents have?
Kershell: Well together, three, which is me, my lil sister that died and my new baby sister.

SNO: How old is your new baby sister?
Kershell: She’s just a few weeks. Born June 27. And she’s not a replacement. No one can or will ever replace my lil sister.

SNO: When last have you been back to St. Lucia?
Kershell: Almost four years and I don’t plan on returning there.

SNO: Do you ever plan on coming back?
Kershell: No. Hell no. St. Lucia eh have nothing for somebody in my situation. I can be successful where I am, but in Lucia it’s close to impossible.

SNO: Going back a bit to the night your sister was shot, what was your condition because you lost your arm at the time.  Were you still in bandages? That must’ve been very hard and very traumatic.
Kershell: Yes, I was still in bandages and yes already lost my arm. And to tell you the truth, I was asleep. At first I heard the shots but thought I was dreaming till my big sister woke me up and basically pushed me under my bed.

SNO:  How did you lose the arm? Was the bullet wound that bad? Why did they have to cut it?
Kershell: Yes, the bullet crushed my elbow bones and the doctors tried to save it – or whatever they did – and said it was already beginning to decompose and they need to cut it off before it infects the rest of my body which would kill me. I lost 60 percent of my blood that night.

SNO: You’re very blessed to be alive. Two bullets in the head and with those type of injuries and still survive.
Kershell: Yes I guess so. Some say I do voodoo but nope, it’s not me. God is in control.

SNO: Were you able to finish high school in St. Lucia and when did you leave?
Kershell: Almost four years ago – December 26, 2010.

SNO: Have you ever thought of revenge against your shooters and your sister’s killers?
Kershell: Hell yes. I swear if I had won a load of cash I’d pay someone to kill them … does that make me a bad person? Or would I have become as evil as they are? Let me know.

SNO: So have you forgiven them?
Kershell: To tell you the truth I did that the moment I decided that this happened for a reason and God will never fail me, but I still wanted them dead.

SNO: Should I include that in the story?
Kershell: Yes pal. They took the most important part of my life away and that’s my lil sister. I don’t care about the arm or nerves (I lost). You can put everything. I’m only speaking the truth and saying what I should have said long ago.

SNO: Currently what are some of the physical, emotional and psychological challenges you go through as a result of the shootings?
Kershell: Well, I won’t lie. I have trouble sleeping and my doc gave me sleeping pills but I don’t use it unless I got to get up early. But my family says I get upset really quick and I also cry when I’m angry. I cry much faster now and explode really fast. I don’t hold nothing in. If you get me upset I’mma curse you till my tongue gets dry.

SNO: And you were not like this before the shooting?
Kershell: No I wasn’t at all. It’s as a result of the shooting.

SNO: So what do you do in your spare time, for recreation?
Kershell: Listen to music and make plans for my future while looking back in the past and where I am now, while telling myself I’ve been through the worse thing any teen girl could have.

SNO: Are you in a relationship now? And has your injuries and scars ever prevented you from dating?
Kershell: Yes I am almost two years (into my relationship) and no, I’m the kind of girl that loves to dress and keep myself looking attractive from birth. And one more thing. If the nigga got a problem with what he sees he can leave. Nothing not stopping him, but I have my boo so I don’t need to worry about that again. Things like that I use to think about after I left Lucia but that eventually changed.

SNO: Do you have a prosthetic arm?
Kershell: Yes, I have a prosthetic arm.

Kershell plans to write a book about her life.

SNO: You’re attending college/university? And what areas are you pursuing? What do you plan on becoming in the future (career-wise?
Kershell: Yes pal. I’m currently completing my community service worker diploma course. I got 18 days left of class then three months job placement as a youth worker. I’ll be working with abused and troubled teens. I plan to become a social worker/youth worker

SNO: Why a social/youth worker?
Kershell: Because I believe after all what I’ve been through from my teens, I’m the perfect example/helper to assist teens by counselling because I’ll be able to relate to them and make them see and know that after every dark night there’s a brighter day. And a tragic situation will only hurt you or haunt you if you allow it to. I’m an ambitious woman and I refuse to be anything but successful. They try and stop me and they lost once, twice and will continue being losers. Nothing and no one can stop my shine. Just wait: my next step is a book about my life.

No one has been arrested in connection with the murder of notorious criminal Yolanda “Jordan” Frederick of La Clery who was gunned down on Tuesday night (July 1) in Leslie Land, Castries.

A police report states that at about 8:15 p.m. officers had responded to a report of the shooting and upon arrival at the scene were told that Frederick had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

She was transported to Victoria Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. A post mortem examination is scheduled for a later date, according to the police report.

Frederick was released from prison earlier this year. She resided at Leslie Land and was on a poster/list of St. Lucia’s notorious criminals which was in circulation almost four years ago.

In 2010, Frederick was remanded at Bordelais Correctional Facility after being charged for murder  and attempted murder. That matter was eventually dropped and she was released.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force  has appealed to anyone with information that can assist in Frederick’s murder investigation to contact the Major Crime Unit at 456-3754 or their nearest police station.