Murder victims – Avis Israel, 75, and her son, Ronald Israel, 47+MURDER SUSPECT, 18-YEAR-OLD JORANI BAPTISTE
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuesday November 15, 2016 – Forty-eight hours after the brutal murder of four citizens by a teenager, St Vincent and the Grenadines was still in the throes of shock and grief.
The late hours of Sunday night and the wee hours of yesterday morning erupted into chaos following the grim discovery of the bodies of Nicolas Layne, 30 of Edinboro, at the Roadside of Campden Park, 75-year-old Avis Israel, and her son, Ronald Israel, 47, in their home at Old Montrose, and Pamela Williams, 50, at her home in Kingstown Park
Civilians nabbed and beat the suspect, Jorani Baptiste, 18, as he attempted to flee the house of his last murder.
Lawmen have stopped short of describing Baptiste as a serial killer, but acknowledged that he has had previous run-ins with the law. They also disclosed that he may have mental problems.
At a news conference yesterday, police revealed that initial investigations showed that the four victims were killed in similar fashion and there appeared to be a link yet to be discovered.
“It appeared that some sharp instrument and a blunt instrument, in some cases, bricks, balusters were found either under the deceased persons or very close to them,” Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Colin John told journalists.
They also revealed that the suspect may have also attacked three women in a house that same night, but they were able to fend him off.
Meanwhile, Vincentian police have assured residents that the island remains a safe place and there was no need to panic despite the horrific incident.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police insisted the incident was isolated and there was no need for undue worry.
“It is very unlikely that an incident like that would occur anytime soon, based on our intelligence and information that we have,” he said.
However, he urged the public to pay greater attention to their surroundings, even as he assured that police would maintain a high level of vigilance.