Back to back killings in Petit Bordel

Last weekend, there were two gun killings in Petit Bordel, a close-knit community where gun violence is rare.

Dead are Othnell ‘Curtell’ Lavia, and Stanron ’Standpide’ Stapleton. Lavia was shot and killed on Sunday, September 29, 2024, sometime after 2:00 a.m near a property that seemed abandoned.

Lavia’s family reserved their comments on the shooting involving him. However, members of the community described him as a calm individual who was never in conflict with anyone.

One resident recalled hearing multiple gunshots on Sunday night. Afterwards, someone cried out, which made other community members gather at the scene, where they discovered the bullet-riddled body of the father of five.

Prior to the 37-year-old’s death, shots rang out in the Plan area of Petit Bordel on the night of Friday, September 27, 2024. Dead was Stapleton, who received several gunshots to his chest and back.

On Monday, September 30, SEARCHLIGHT travelled to Rose Hall, where some of his relatives reside.

According to his relatives, Stapleton rarely spent time in Rose Hall and lived at Petit Bordel. They believe that the deceased should have moved away from Petit Bordel after his father was stabbed to death 20 years ago in the same area.

The relatives revealed that Stapleton’s father was Charles Pierre. According to one relative, they recalled seeing Stapleton at Rose Hall on the day he was killed. One of his relatives shared that they received the news shortly after they woke up on Saturday morning. Another individual from the community told them that “they killed Standpide”.

The family member had no knowledge of Stapleton being involved in any conflicts with anyone, and recalled that whenever he visited Rose Hall, he would always visit them. “He would tell me hello and so…he used to come round here, then he would go on his journey,” said the relative.

The 29 year old had no children, and relatives recounted that he was involved in farming and road work.