St Lucian and teenage Vincentian student now charged with murder

A St Lucian and a 17 year old Vincentian student, who allegedly caused a man to become paralysed from the neck down by shooting him about his body, have now been charged with murder after the man died of his injuries over two weeks later, on April 17, 2025.

Keon Hackshaw, of Ottley Hall, 17 years old, and Laurent Isidore, 26, of St Lucia and Gibson Corner, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Tammika McKenzie on April 25, 2025, where they were charged that on April 17, 2025 at Richmond Hill, with malice aforethought, they caused the death of Michael Richards, of Diamond, by an unlawful act.

It is an indictable offence, so the two were not required to plea.

Hackshaw was previously charged for having in his possession one Taurus G2c 9mm pistol, serial number unknown, without a license issued under the Firearms Act.

He was also charged with possessing five rounds of live, hallow point bullets; one 9mm; and one S&B 9×19 (20) ammunition without a license issued under the Firearms Act.

Laurent Isidore was charged for having in his possession seven rounds of live .40 ammunition without a license issued under the Firearms Act; and one Smith and Wesson MP40 pistol, serial number MPE3621, without a license issued under the Firearms Act.

The St Lucian was also charged that when lawfully required by a police officer to give his name, he gave a false name, to wit, “Irish James.”

All the offences are alleged to have taken place on April 1, 2025 at Richmond Hill.

They were initially charged with attempting to murder Richards. Chief Magistrate, Colin John had granted Hackshaw bail in the sum of $30,000 with one surety, but remanded Isidore.

Richards was shot multiple times in Richmond Hill not far from the GHS bus stop, and in close proximity to a food outlet on the morning of April 1, 2025. A video circulating on social media showed someone, said to be him, lying on the compound of the food establishment bleeding, but conscious and talking to onlookers.