Peaceful St George community stunned by fatal shooting of young resident

In the quiet community of Fairview Heights, St George, a blood-stained section of the road covered by sand was the only lingering evidence of another life taken by gun violence on Thursday.

Around 1 a.m., 27-year-old Romaine Mayers of Greens in the same parish was confirmed as the island’s 12th murder victim when police discovered his lifeless body following reports of gunshots in the area.

At the scene, a Barbados TODAY team found a visibly shaken Member of Parliament for St George South Dwight Sutherland who was very close to the victim whom he called “son”.

“I am here sad, shocked, in a state of depression. I lost a very good friend this morning, due to gun violence here in Fairview,” he said.

Sutherland, who had just visited grieving family members who were too distraught to speak to the media, said Mayers’ mother and brother were struggling to come to grips with the ordeal.

“She is very sad, his brother Ross also. You don’t know what to tell a parent at a time when she has lost her 27-year-old son, who was dear to her, a very loving young man who would give his last to you. He had a very infectious laugh,” reflected the MP who is also Minister of Housing, Lands, and Maintenance.

It was only five days ago that Sutherland was with the young man. On Tuesday they had what would be their last conversation.

“[On Sunday] I picked him up to watch a second division final in the BCA 11 where Greens went to the final for the first time playing in the BCA second division in the T20 knockout competition. They didn’t win but we had fun. I picked up Romaine and another friend of mine, Kevin Howard – these were two young men that I usually travel around with . . .

“So it is very sad to know that I saw him on Sunday last and then I spoke with him on Tuesday afternoon. He had asked me to do something for him and I was in the process of doing it.

“This is very sad. To wake up this morning and to see on your doorstep in St George South, in the very peaceful neighbourhood of Fairview, and then to know that it is your dear friend and one whom I call son; I [treated] him like a son . . . . This is indeed sad, I am feeling very, very depressed and in a state of shock,” Sutherland said.

He condemned the senseless killing even as he assured that the Government would not ease up on efforts to stamp out gun violence.

“As a government we are trying our best, working with the Barbados Police Service and the other forces in this country to stem violence and especially gun violence…. Anywhere there is gun violence and death by gun are a problem for us. I am hoping that we catch the person who committed this vicious act of death by gun,” Sutherland said.

The MP said the Greens community would miss Mayers but he would not be forgotten.

“We are going to have some challenging times in Greens over the next few weeks but we will rally together as a family in St George South. And we will live the life that we believe we wanted him to live and we will do the things that he wanted us to do,” Sutherland declared.

Lawmen have asked anyone with information about the fatal shooting to contact Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, the District “B” Police Station at 437 4311, or any police station.
sandydeane@barbadostoday.bb