MP urges no retaliation after St Lucy killing, backs death penalty

Member of Parliament for St Lucy, Peter Phillips, is urging residents to avoid retaliation following Sunday night’s fatal shooting, even as he renewed his call for the reinstatement of capital punishment.

“Let there be no retaliation… put down the guns. We must not take matters into our own hands. The law will do what it has to do,” Phillips said on Monday.

The appeal came as he visited the family of Romario Archer, the 31-year-old who was killed during a shooting at a karaoke event in Fryers Well, Checker Hall.

Phillips described the killing as deeply personal, noting that he had known Archer and his family for years.

“He was a good, decent guy… very cheerful, very independent, always looking for work,” he said.

The MP said Archer had previously worked with him at events, describing him as reliable.

“I could call him at the last minute and he would be there,” Phillips added.

He said the incident has shaken the Checker Hall community and stressed the need for calm.

“This is not what we want… too much is happening,” he said.

At the same time, Phillips reiterated his support for capital punishment, arguing that stronger measures are needed to address rising violence.

“I support capital punishment… we have to begin to take stronger action against this kind of behaviour,” he said.

He also expressed support for Archer’s family. 

“This is not the kind of thing we are accustomed to in St Lucy. We want peace in this community, and across Barbados,” Phillips said.