Two men killed in two separate incidents on January 2

It is 2025 and homicide detectives in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are already busy with two killings three days into the New Year.

Coming off 54 homicides in 2024 and 55 in 2023, two persons have been shot and killed here so far, both on January 2.

The first homicide was recorded with the discovery of the body of Albert Lorenzo Lewis, a 63-year-old farmer and welder of Hopewell.

On Thursday January 2, one of Lewis’ neighbours discovered the elderly man motionless on the porch of his home and phoned police.

Responding officers later found Lewis with what appeared to be a wound to the right side of his face and scrapes about his body. The District Medical Officer (DMO), examined the body and later pronounced Lewis dead.

The Crime Scene Unit (CSU) processed the scene and removed several exhibits, including a spent shell and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Back in 2012, Lewis was jailed for burglary after being found guilty of entering the home of Janice Howard, on October 23, 2011. Justice Wesley James sentenced Lewis to seven years in prison after he was convicted by a nine-member mixed jury.

Then, later on January 2nd, Andrew “Gringo” Williams was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) after he was shot, sources say in Glen.  He arrived at hospital around 6.30 p.m. and later died of his injuries. After his death, people took to social media to express outrage over Williams’ death.

One of the social media users going by the name Shanda Lanique R Carr wrote, “No way! Bisco? Wow. This is too much now. This boy don’t have a bad bone in his body. He may drink his liquor, but always a good laugh when he starts cursing.

“He don’t trouble anyone. He is normally pleasant most of the time. This is so crazy. May he rest in peace and hope the people who did this are caught and prosecuted. Just senseless! Andrew, we will miss you. Every year I come home we have good chats and laughs. Always asking how I’m doing, never rude to me ever.”

Destiny C Williams commented, “I am definitely confused because I never knew him to be a troublemaker. All he does is drink and curse when drunk like usual drinkers. So, I am definitely in shock.”

These investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information that can assist to come forward as they are promising that all information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Meanwhile, police say they suspect no foul play in relation to the discovery of a decomposed body in Glamorgan on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

The body has been identified as St. Elmore John, a 66-year-old farmer of Belmont. John’s remains were discovered by relatives. He was last seen alive on Saturday, December 28th, 2024 and a postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.