“We Must Find A Way To Eradicate Gun Crime”
“These incidents have been occurring for far too long in our communities and destroying our families” and “we must find a way to eradicate gun crime from our shores”, Southampton East MP Zane DeSilva said in the wake of the fatal shooting on Friday evening.
“As the Member of Parliament for Southampton East, I am deeply concerned about this latest shooting”, Mr DeSilva said. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Rickai Swan. I also have spoken with the President of Southampton Rangers, Mr. Gerri Saltus regarding this tragic incident.
“The Progressive Labour Party expresses our full support to the officers and members of Southampton Rangers Club. We will continue to assist in the promotion of those positive activities that have made Southampton Rangers a cornerstone within the community.
“However, we must say that our concern goes so much deeper than just this latest incident at Southampton Rangers. These incidents have been occurring for far too long in our communities and destroying our families.
“We must find a way to eradicate gun crime from our shores. We all need to come together on this issue, and take the politics away.
Police spokesperson Robin Simmons speaking at the scene on Friday evening
“I call on the Premier Michael Dunkley to do more than just express condolences each time an incident occurs. As the Leader of the country, he must do more to ensure that our young black men value their lives and therefore do not take another’s life with such callous disregard.
“As a community, we need to uplift and show hope to a group that is clearly feeling disenfranchised and marginalized,” added Mr DeSilva.
“We can praise the America’s Cup and the St. George’s Hotel project; we can build a new airport, and seek international business investment, but if a major segment of our community feels unwanted and even uninvited then all of those positives may be for naught. Let us by word and by deed work toward a resolution to this epidemic,” concluded Mr DeSilva.
At around 10:40pm on Friday [Oct 23] there was a shooting outside Southampton Rangers which resulted in the death of 26 year old Rickai Swan of Southampton, and a 29-year-old man also being injured.
Witnesses or anyone with information should contact the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1739 or the anonymous and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.
