Man seriously injured in shooting as gun violence continues

man was seriously wounded in a shooting incident in Bellevue, St Michael, around 8:30 this morning, in yet another incident amid a surge in violent crime.

The victim, described by a resident as “generally quiet”, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by ambulance in a serious condition following a barrage of gunshots in the Waterford community.

Police responded swiftly to the scene and later apprehended a suspect on My Lord’s Hill who is believed to have been involved in the shooting. Investigations are ongoing.

A Bellevue resident, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the incident: “I was wondering where these [gunshots] came from. And then when I returned I saw a crowd of people in my gap and I hear a fellow got shot.”

The resident, who knows the victim, added: “He is a cool fellow, though. I hope that everything go good and he pull through.”

Expressing concern over the recent spate of murders in the country, the Bellevue resident called for an end to the violence. “I would like it to stop because I have family and I wouldn’t like it to happen to none of my family,” he said.

The man, in his 60s, advocated for peaceful coexistence among Barbadians: “I don’t get into any problems with anybody, I keep myself small.” He added that he could not fault the government, which he believes is “doing all it could to tackle the situation”.

This shooting follows two homicides in as many days. A man was chopped to death in St Joseph, marking the 27th homicide this year, while a day earlier, a woman was found dead at a house in Rock Hall, St Philip.

The incidents underscore the growing concern over gun violence and crime, as authorities struggle to curb the rising tide of violent incidents. (SD)