Commissioner of Police, Mr. Everton Jeffers, has strongly condemned the senseless and brutal act of violence at Bathlodge on Monday night, which claimed the life of 20-year-old Saquania Anthony and left two other persons nursing gunshot injuries.
Commissioner Jeffers described the incident as a deeply disturbing and reprehensible act of violence that has robbed a young mother of her life and plunged her family and loved ones into grief.
“I am deeply disgusted and disturbed by this senseless act of violence that has taken the life of an innocent young mother. There can be absolutely no justification for this level of brutality and disregard for human life. Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.”
The Commissioner said the Police Administration is treating the investigation with the utmost seriousness and has committed the necessary investigative, forensic, intelligence, and operational resources to pursue every available lead and bring closure to the matter.
He further warned that anyone responsible for such a heinous crime should not expect to be sheltered or protected from prosecution.
“Anyone who commits an act of this nature must understand that the police will relentlessly pursue every lawful avenue to identify them and bring them before the courts. Equally, anyone who knowingly shelters, conceals, or assists those responsible must understand the seriousness of their actions. There must be no safe haven for persons who perpetrate this type of violence within our communities.”
Commissioner Jeffers said this latest act of violence should strengthen the resolve of the entire nation to stand together against violent crime and support the efforts of law enforcement.
“This wicked act should be enough to stir the conscience of our nation. A young woman has lost her life, a family has been devastated, and a community has been left to deal with the trauma of another senseless act of violence. This cannot become acceptable or normal in our society.”
He is therefore appealing to anyone who knows what happened, who may have witnessed suspicious activity, or who has information concerning the persons involved to come forward and assist the investigation.
The Commissioner emphasized that silence only serves to protect those responsible and undermines the collective effort to make communities safer.
“The police cannot do this alone. We need our citizens to stand with us. If you know something, say something. Do not allow fear, friendship, family ties, or misplaced loyalty to shield persons who are prepared to take another person’s life. Our collective responsibility must be to justice, to the safety of our communities, and to the protection of innocent lives.”
Commissioner Jeffers assured the family of Saquania Anthony and the wider public that the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda will remain resolute in its efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting and bring those responsible to justice.
He also extended sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and wished the injured persons a full recovery.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or 462-3914, Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477), or the nearest police station.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Commissioner Jeffers Strongly Condemns Brutal Bathlodge Killing.