Two deadly stabbings push 2026 homicide toll to 36

Two deadly stabbings in less than 24 hours pushed Barbados’ homicide toll for the year to 36, as lawmen investigate separate killings in St Michael.

The latest victim, a vendor at the Fairchild Street Vendors Market known as Tallman, died after reportedly being stabbed several times during an altercation at The City market on Wednesday morning.

Police have not yet publicly released his identity.

His death came less than a day after 26-year-old Jamario Omar Holder, of Block 7, Farm Road, Deacons, St Michael, was fatally stabbed at Fernihurst, St Michael around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to police, initial investigations indicate that Holder was involved in a dispute with another man before he was stabbed. He was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a private motor vehicle, where he succumbed to his injuries.

(Photo credit: Shamar Blunt / Barbados TODAY)

A person of interest is assisting police with that investigation.

At Fairchild Street on Wednesday, police arrived at the scene around 9 a.m. after a fight broke out between two men. The injured man was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a private vehicle, but he later died from his injuries.

Witnesses described the confrontation as sudden, with little or no warning.

One witness claimed the victim walked away, but the other man followed him.

“The man leave from here and walk and went so, and the other man leave from here and follow the man, pulled a knife, and stabbed him in his back. Telling the man that he ‘Got this here for you’,” the witness told Barbados TODAY.

The witness said the victim fell after being stabbed the first time, but the attack did not stop.

(Photo credit: Shamar Blunt / Barbados TODAY)

“When the man get the first stab now he jump forward, fall down,” the witness claimed. “He flip the man, man on he back struggling trying to [get away], and the [assailant] sat down on his chest and stabbed the man more.”

The witness said people nearby shouted at the attacker, begging him to stop. He eventually left the victim, got into a vehicle and drove away.

“After he moved off, we helped the guy, and two more guys put he in the van and took him to the hospital because he was bleeding really bad,” the witness said.

Another person who also knew the victim said Tallman was friendly and well-liked.

“Tallman was a very nice person. Everybody gine tell you that. When you ask around, you will see other people will repeat the same thing. Cool guy, connect with people… everybody does have their miseries, but nothing to [cause] this,” the person said.

The vendor’s death brings the number of homicides for 2026 to 36. Police investigations are continuing. (SB)