Woman shot dead in Murray’s Village

On the night she was shot, well known vendor, Marilyn “Maro” John, willingly handed over the money she had on her and pleaded with the three gunmen, asking them not to kill her.

But the request fell on deaf ears, and the 48 year old Paul Over resident was shot four times- once in the head, twice in the chest, and once in her lower body, dying on the spot.

Leading up to her death, Marilyn’s life was chaotic, as this year, she lost a son and a neighbour, both to gun violence.

On Tuesday night June 18, 2024, 34-year old Dwayne “Doc” Jacobs was shot and killed in Paul Over. He occupied the top storey of the house in which Marilyn and her family resided. On the night of Saturday, July 13,2024, Jomarl “Snoop” John, Marilyn’s 30 year old son, also a vendor, was mortally wounded during a gun attack at his shop in Pole Yard. During that same incident, 17 year old Jason St. Rose, Jomarl’s friend, was also shot and died, while 63 year old retired security guard, Sylvanus Matthias, was shot in both legs, but survived.

According to Romarl John, Marilyn’s son and twin brother to Jomarl, his mom was on her way home at around 9.10 p.m. last Tuesday, October 29, when the small van from which she vended was stopped by three gunmen.

Romarl told SEARCHLIGHT on Thursday that his mother, with whom he was very close, was in the presence of two of her grandchildren (Jomarl’s two sons, ages 6 and 10), her stepson (17-year-old), and a 30 year old male companion when the vehicle was approached by gun toting bandits.

He said his mother stopped the vehicle, after which the men demanded cash, which was handed over. He said his mom pushed the driver’s seat backwards, and asked the men not to kill her, but the trio opened fire.

An October 30, press release, issued by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), supported Romarl’s account, noting that other persons were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting but were unharmed when three masked assailants opened fire on Marilyn who was pronounced dead on the scene by the District Medical Officer (DMO).

“This feeling, ain’t feel too good,” Jomarl told SEARCHLIGHT on Thursday, while explaining that this is a big loss for him, as he lost his twin brother in similar circumstances, and now his mom, who worked hard to keep the family together is gone.

“I don’t think it was about a robbery alone because they took cash from her and then shot her. She asked them not to kill her,” Jomarl said, adding that is what the persons in the vehicle told him.

“She gave them the money without a fight,” Jomarl stressed, while adding that he has no idea why this happened, but said he knows for a fact that crime is out of control.

“I want serious penalties, and justice should be served if these guys are caught. They should be dealt with crucial because they take life. All three had guns,” Jomarl told SEARCHLIGHT.

“I’m in shock, and this left me hopeless, as a mother love is unconditional. She always keep the family together, and losing mother and brother, it is really a sad situation.”

This shooting death has left a lot of people scared, confused, and angry. Among them, the dead woman’s nephew, Fitzgerald “Fitz” Bramble (parliamentary representative for East Kingstown).

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on Thursday, Bramble said in addition to the fact that Marilyn is his relative, this murder is just another example of the lacklustre attention being given to crime, specifically by the Minister of National Security.

“We all know that crime has many causes, and it must be a multifaceted approach, but at the very pinnacle is the Minister of National Security which is our Prime Minister, and I am concerned he is not speaking out and giving people the assurance that the government is exerting all the possible effort to mitigate against this sort of thing,” Bramble said.

The politician said he is not saying that the Prime Minister should go out and solve crime, but what he is saying is that a stronger approach should be shown in an effort to instil confidence in people that the government is working to stop crime.

“There are too many unsolved homicides. People getting killed, killed and killed, and nobody getting arrested. People in SVG are scared. People don’t want to say because they are afraid to talk,” Bramble said.

Meanwhile, the RSVGPF is urging anyone with information that may assist in this investigation to come forward.