Deadly 48 hours as gun violence claims two more lives in St Lucia, raising 2025’s homicide toll to 36
CASTRIES, St Lucia — July 1, 2025 — St Lucia’s persistent wave of deadly gun violence continued this week with two more fatal shootings, raising the island’s homicide toll to 36 for 2025. The latest incidents, which occurred Monday night and early Tuesday morning, add to a string of recent killings that have unsettled communities and heightened public concern.
The first incident took place around 11 p.m. on Monday in New Village, Castries, where 18-year-old Jhanick Jn Phillip was ambushed by multiple gunmen. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a volley of gunshots before finding the teenager critically injured. Emergency medical services transported him to hospital at approximately 11:22 p.m., but he was later pronounced dead.
Just four hours later, a second deadly attack unfolded in Dennery around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. A 21-year-old man was fatally shot, while two others sustained gunshot wounds during the same incident. Their conditions remain unknown, and no arrests have been confirmed as of Tuesday morning.
The double homicide follows three other fatal shootings over the weekend. On Friday night, June 27, 36-year-old Jimmy Charles of Richfond, Dennery, was gunned down shortly before 9:30 p.m. His death was reported in this related story as part of St Lucia’s ongoing homicide crisis. That same night, 27-year-old Darnel Charles of Monchy, Gros Islet, was also killed in a separate gun attack, which was previously covered by Unitedpac St Lucia News in this Monchy homicide report.
The violence extended into Sunday, June 29, when 18-year-old Anthony Cox of Soufrière was shot in Plamiste and later died at hospital. His death marked the island’s 34th homicide, as reported in our coverage of the Soufriere school-area shooting.
The latest string of fatal shootings brings renewed attention to the persistent security challenges confronting law enforcement in St Lucia. Despite ongoing police investigations, the continued pace of homicides underscores the urgency of addressing firearm-related violence across multiple districts.
Officials have not released details regarding any suspects or motives, and investigations remain active. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has called on members of the public to assist with credible information that may aid in solving these cases.
Unitedpac St Lucia News will continue to track these developing investigations and bring readers the latest verified updates as they become available.
