Piat Grande Riviere Shooting Claims Life of Local Man, Marking Saint Lucia’s 58th Homicide in 2024
Piat, Grande Riviere, Saint Lucia – The rising tide of violence continues to claim lives in Saint Lucia, as 54-year-old Gregory Louison was fatally shot near his home in Piat, Grande Riviere on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024. This latest homicide, which occurred around 9:50 pm, marks the island’s 58th killing this year, further underscoring the alarming rate of violent crime.
Officers from the Gros Islet Police Station responded to reports of a shooting in Piat, where they discovered Louison’s body lying motionless in the road, just 100 yards from his home. A pathologist later confirmed that Louison had died from multiple gunshot wounds, sustaining fatal injuries to the forehead.
Eyewitnesses report that Louison was ambushed by unknown assailants hiding in nearby bushes. Two gunshots were heard before he was found lifeless in the street. The attackers fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has launched a full investigation and is appealing to the public for any information that could assist in apprehending the culprits.
Tragically, this is not the first time the Louison family has been devastated by gun violence. In 2018, Gregory’s 12-year-old son, Rohan Louison, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Desrameaux, Monchy. Now, with Gregory’s murder, the family is left to cope with yet another brutal loss. Gregory’s sister, Editha Louison, expressed her disbelief and heartbreak. “I was getting ready for bed when my brother told me Gregory was shot. He was lying motionless in the road. It’s unbelievable; I still can’t believe it,” she recounted, grief evident in her voice.
Editha remembered her brother as a man of many skills. “Gregory was a jack of all trades. He was a good painter, did masonry, repaired boats, and loved grazing animals. Yes, he drank, and sometimes it got out of control, but he was my brother, my blood,” she said.
Louison’s death has added to the growing public outrage over the ongoing crime wave sweeping across the island. Just days earlier, another fatal shooting rocked the nearby community of Babonneau. On August 31st, 2024, masked gunmen executed 26-year-old Babonneau resident, Calvin Charles, in a brazen act of violence outside his home. This brutal attack marked homicide number 58 for the year. Charles, like Louison, was ambushed by gunmen who showed no regard for life, striking fear into the hearts of residents.
These two killings, occurring just days apart, have intensified the national conversation about crime and public safety in Saint Lucia. With 58 homicides recorded so far in 2024, the country is on track for a record-breaking year of violence. Residents and officials alike are grappling with the question of how to stem the tide of gun-related crime that is tearing families apart.
Editha, mourning the loss of both her brother and nephew, made a heartfelt plea for peace. “It’s too much. This has to stop. We hear about others being killed, but when it hits your own family, it’s unbearable. This violence cannot continue,” she urged.
Gregory Louison leaves behind a daughter and a grandson, adding to the grief felt by his family. As the RSLPF continues its investigation, authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to Louison’s murder to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Crime Hotline at 555 or through the RSLPF Crime Hotline App.
The Babonneau Fire Station also responded to the scene of Louison’s murder around 10 pm. When they arrived, they found Gregory lying face down with a gunshot wound to his forehead, showing clear signs of death.
The investigation into Louison’s murder is ongoing, with police working to understand why he was targeted. The community of Piat, Grande Riviere, remains in shock as another life is lost to senseless violence.
In summary, the killing of Gregory Louison in Piat, just days after the execution of Babonneau resident Calvin Charles, is a stark reminder of the growing crime problem in Saint Lucia. The RSLPF continues its investigations, urging anyone with information to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Unitedpac St. Lucia News offers its deepest sympathies to the Louison family and encourages anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the Gros Islet Police Station at 456-3830 or submit anonymous tips via the Crime Hotline.
