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Unitedpac St. Lucia, February 23, 2024 — The 45th anniversary of St. Lucia’s hard-fought independence turned into a grim tableau of violence and tragedy yesterday, as gunshots echoed through the streets, leaving three lives extinguished and four others clinging to survival.
02
of 05Bloody Independence 45 Incident 1: The Concrete Alley Tragedy
Quincy Mathurin, known on the streets as “One Shot,” was just 23 years old. His dreams and aspirations silenced forever in a hail of bullets. Edley Celise, residing on Martin Luther King Street, met the same fate. His life cut short, leaving behind grieving loved ones.
The alley, once a nondescript passageway, now bears witness to the bloodshed that stains its walls. The Vieux-Fort Police Station’s Criminal Investigations Department is working tirelessly to unravel the motives behind this senseless violence.
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of 05Bloody Independence 45 Incident 2: The Hospitalized Survivors
As the dust settled, four wounded souls were rushed to nearby hospitals. Their bodies, riddled with gunshot wounds, tell a harrowing tale of survival:
Lena Baptiste, a 29-year-old mother of two, clings to life at St. Jude Hospital. Her children, unaware of the danger that befell their brave mother, await her return.
Rico Deschamps, a 19-year-old aspiring musician, fights for every breath at Victoria Hospital. His guitar, once strummed with hope, now lies abandoned in his room.
Nadia Jules, a 34-year-old nurse, lies in critical condition at Tapion Hospital. Her healing hands, once a source of solace, now bear the scars of violence.
Jerome Augustin, a 27-year-old taxi driver, battles for survival at Soufrière Hospital. His taxi, parked outside, remains a silent witness to the tragedy.
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of 05Bloody Independence 45 Incident 3: The Dennery Valley Nightmare
The horrors extended beyond Vieux-Fort. In the serene Dennery Valley, darkness descended upon Richfond. At 9:30 PM, the tranquility shattered as a single gunshot echoed through the night. The lifeless body of Baune Dumar, a 47-year-old man from Grand Ravine, lay sprawled on the ground. His head bore the unmistakable mark of violence—a gunshot wound that robbed him of his future.
The medical practitioner’s solemn pronouncement sealed Baune’s fate, leaving a grieving community in shock. As the stars blinked overhead, the valley mourned the loss of a son, a brother, a friend.
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of 05A Nation in Mourning
St. Lucia’s Independence Day, meant to celebrate resilience and unity, now stands as a grim reminder of the fragility of life. The streets bear witness to the aftermath—the bloodstains, the shattered dreams, and the unanswered questions.
As we honor the fallen, let us also rally against the forces that threaten our peace. The unofficial Gun Salute may have marked the 45th year of independence, but it also etched a darker chapter in our history—one we must confront with unwavering resolve.
Stay tuned for further updates as investigations unfold.
