PM vows to ‘get to the bottom’ of mass murders

KINGSTOWN (CMC):

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves Thursday said he remains confident that the police will solve the mass shootings in the capital on Wednesday night that left five people dead, including a 13-year-old boy.

“We will get to the bottom of this and we will bring the perpetrators to justice,” Gonsalves said from Morocco, where he is on an official visit.

In a video statement released via state media, Gonsalves said he was addressing nationals “with a heavy heart”, having received the news as he arrived in the north African country Wednesday night.

He said that he immediately got in touch with Commissioner of Police Colin John, acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel and Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves.

“During the night, into the wee hours of this morning Morocco time, I was on the phone getting updates and giving advice and suggestions,” Gonsalves said, adding that he had spoken to the Cabinet from London on Wednesday before the shooting “about additional measures which we needed to take.

“And I also spoke to the commissioner of police. So, we were putting additional measures in place when this shooting came about,” Gonsalves added.

In a statement released during the early hours of Thursday morning, the police commissioner sought to assure the public that the country is still safe despite the spate of violence.

“The serious crimes that are being committed are by and large committed by a very small group of people against others of the same ilk. We advised persons to settle their differences in a more mature, civilised and amicable manner. Also, we strongly advocate that persons respect the rights to life of each other,” John said.

The shootings Wednesday night brought to seven the number of people shot and killed here since Tuesday morning.