An armed guard will be stationed at Anguilla Courthouse and the House of Assembly when they are in session to boost security after a man was murdered in the vicinity.
Governor Julia Crouch and Premier Ellis Webster announced the new safety measure in a joint statement on 20 July, in which they said they were shocked by the prior day’s incident
A 33-year-old from Bad Cox Pond was shot and killed at about 10.40am on 19 July in a vehicle outside the court, which he was due to attend that morning.
“Despite his injuries he managed to make his way into the court building,” the joint statement said.
Police and His Majesty’s Prison officers administered emergency first aid until an ambulance arrived at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at Princess Alexandra Hospital at 11.11am.
“This was undoubtedly another brazen and callous murder and extremely frightening and distressing for those who witnessed it,” the governor and premier said.
“The fact it occurred within the precincts of the court and House of Assembly has understandably raised concerns around the need for additional security in this area.
“We recognise the fundamental importance to our democracy and the rule of law of ensuring the safety of all who work and visit our courts and the House of Assembly.”
Urgent review
Commissioner of Police Robert Clark and the governor spoke with Justice Ermin Moise of Anguilla High Court and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Barbara Webster-Bourne.
Together they are conducting an urgent review of security measures in the area which includes the addition of an armed guard from 22 July, the governor and premier said.
“We would reiterate however that if we are to prevent these murders and deescalate the violence, we need members of the public to come forward and talk to the police about what they know,” they added.
They went on to say that they are “deeply concerned at this senseless taking of lives” following the spike in gun-related crime in Anguilla.
“It affects us all and risks destroying our families and our economy, as well as the huge progress Anguilla has made over recent years,” they wrote.
“It is time for everyone in Anguilla to come together, stand against this violence and play our part.”
The governor and premier expressed condolences to the family of the man who died on Friday and thanked those who responded to the incident.
Anyone with information on this or any other incident can call 911, (264) 497-2333 or 497-5333, or leave a message on the confidential website at www.gov.ai/911
Information from that website is stored in a secure location off island and access to it is tightly controlled.
