-
by pltm
(PLTM) - Premier and Minister for Finance Hon. Andrew Fahie is appealing to residents with pertinent information relating to the recent killing of Jaimez Stoutt, to speak out.
Stoutt was gunned down sometime after 1 am on Saturday, December 11 at the Crystal’s Nightclub and later succumbed to his injuries.
BVI Platinum News learnt that the shooting stemmed from an earlier dispute between the shooter and the victim which eventually led to the shooting at the entertainment facility hours later.
Addressing the issue via social media on Saturday, Premier Fahie said he too wished to extend “deepest condolences” to the family of the late Stoutt.
He also extended his condolences to the family of Ijahni Scatliffe who met his end in what the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force said appears to be a lone scooter accident based on surveillance footage, on December 8.
“We pray that God gives each family of our two deceased brothers, strength in their time of loss. And we ask that anyone who has information on these incidents to please come forward and assist the authorities at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Remember, also that we are a community of BVILOVE and it behooves us to be our brothers' and sisters' keepers,” the Premier said.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Hon. Marlon Penn said his heart “aches to wake up to the news of yet another young man losing his life to gun crime in our beloved Virgin Islands.”
He continued: “As a society, we must teach our young people that there are other ways to resolve our differences than through the barrel of a gun. In our fight for justice, we must never condone or protect persons who perpetrate these heinous acts of violence within our community. We must also work expeditiously to purge our communities of illegal firearms.”
The opposition legislator said he stood with the RVIPF and the other law enforcement agencies and supported them fully as they attempt to “curb the scourge of crime, especially gun crimes, in and around our Territory.”
Describing the shooting as “senseless”, he pointed out that it affects the economy, community, and the family left behind to mourn.
“My heartfelt condolences goes out to Jaimez’ parents, Joycelyn Lenoard-Walters and Alvan (Pepper) Stoutt, his siblings, extended family and friends. I especially pray for his young son, whom he loved deeply, as was so evident by his open display of excellence in fatherhood. May God bring comfort, strength and peace of mind to all,” he concluded.
