One dead, five injured in St Philip shooting

Residents of Long Bay, St Philip were tight-lipped on Thursday after an early morning shooting that claimed the life of 47-year-old Franz Walkes and left five others injured.

Police officers were combing the scene during the day for clues that could help them nab the two gunmen who brazenly opened fire at Byer’s Boozie Bites Bar while several patrons were attending a karaoke session.

Walkes, of St Matthias Christ Church, was killed while sitting in a car just outside the bar.

When Barbados TODAY visited the scene, bar owner Stephen Byer was not present. However, he and his sister said in a radio interview that they were both happy to be alive following the shooting.

In a separate incident that occurred later in the day, a masked man riding a bicycle opened fire on three men who were sitting in a vehicle in the car park of Chefette Restaurants on Black Rock Main Road, St Michael. The driver of the vehicle reported the incident at the Black Rock Police Station.

Investigations are continuing into both matters. (BT)