Pensioner wounded in bar dispute amid rising violence

n elderly man was seriously injured during a dispute at Glendene’s Bar in Brittons Hill on Thursday afternoon, police have reported.

The incident comes just a day after Barbados recorded its 27th homicide of the year, prompting renewed calls for community intervention to address rising violence on the island.

Police Inspector Wentley Carter told reporters that officers received a report about the violent incident around 3 p.m. “We responded to a report at about 1500 hours at Glendene’s Bar situated at Brittons New Road, St Michael, where there was a dispute between elderly persons who were socialising at the said bar. The dispute became heated, and one of these persons was seriously injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance,” he explained.

The injured man is in serious but stable condition, while the alleged assailant is in police custody assisting with the investigation, Inspector Carter said.

Apostle Dr David Durant, Senior Pastor of Restoration Ministries International described the incident as troubling and emphasised the urgent need for anger management sessions across Barbados. “We need to have a few more anger management sessions in the community halls, church halls, and parishes helping people to cope with this situation. We’ve never been at this point in Barbados, and people seem to not be able to cope with their [anger], and then the violence, [there] seems to be a total disregard for human life,” he said.

The former senator stressed that swift and thorough interventions must be implemented, warning that innocent bystanders could be at risk. “Even if it is among themselves, other people could be in the line of fire who are innocent. Could be a tourist, could be a resident of this country, we need to wrestle this to the ground,” he cautioned.

The pastor called on community leaders, particularly churches, to take action. “I believe that the church needs to raise the bar, all of us as church people, in communicating in your communities, on the blocks, and with the youth groups and so forth, help to show them that there is a better way to live. Don’t waste your life away in prison. Choose to follow a way that will make you a productive citizen,” he added. (SB)