By Tahna Weston
As police continue to probe the country’s first homicide for 2025, the Member of Parliament for All Saints East and St Luke has expressed condolences to the family of the victim, Javaughn Williams.
Williams, of Old Road, was shot dead on Thursday while in an altercation with another man, who is now in police custody assisting them with the investigations.
Speaking at a public rally in Parham on Thursday night, the Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Jamale Pringle expressed his grief at the passing of the 35-year-old man.
“Tonight, my spirit is saddened that this morning, only the second day of 2025, we recorded our first murder — a young man that I know very well; he’s from my constituency.
“All the plans, the hopes and dreams he had for 2025 came to an end. But I want to say to the family, my heart and prayers are with you, so please accept my condolences,” Pringle said.
The All Saints East and St Luke MP also expressed concern for the family of the alleged perpetrator, citing that “both families must be experiencing some difficult times”.
Meanwhile, attorney and political hopeful for the St Paul Constituency, Wayne Benjamin Marsh, also spoke of the tragic incident while addressing the issue of crime and violence in Antigua and Barbuda.
“Brothers and sisters, another killing, another life lost. Those were the words that made headlines. But today is the second day of January 2025 and already we are mourning the loss of yet another Antiguan. Brothers and sisters, sometimes we do not understand the gravity of the situation until it hits home.
“Brothers and sisters, one crime, whether murder, larceny, robbery, aggravated assault, is one crime too many; and we must never forget this. In recent times, armed gun violence has increased in Antigua and Barbuda. There’s an increase in rape and fights within our schools, and all of these are amongst our youths,” Marsh said.
The attorney said it is time that Antiguans and Barbudans rise up and hold law enforcement and the government accountable for the state of affairs in the country.
“We have a problem in Antigua and Barbuda. We have a prime minister who, rather than becoming serious and tackling the crime situation in Antigua and Barbuda, the gentleman has said to the young people, get rid of your tainted weapons, something like that … is this the kind of leadership we deserve?” Marsh asked.
Williams was allegedly shot around 10 am at Mount Obama (Boggy Peak).
