Gun violence leaves Trinidadian Artist Critical in St Maarten

A performer from Trinidad who was here on a visit now lies fighting for his life in a hospital in St Maarten following a shooting incident that also left members of his party injured.

The St Maarten Police Force (KPSM) said, the artist had just finished his performance in the Maho area at an early Sunday morning concert and was leaving in a black minivan with his entourage when they were attacked with multiple gunshots.

The artist’s identified has not yet been officially uncovered by the police but is hospitalized in critical condition in the Dutch overseas territory. The following news information is from KPSM that the woman and three males from the entourage remain at St Maarten Medical Center in serious but stable condition.

Police have not made public the name of the entertainer, but numerous local outlets on social media identified him as a Trinidadian. The police are currently investigating on this matter, that also highlighted the fact that off-duty police and immigration officers were part of the security crew of the injured artist.

St Maarten is an island with a landmass of 34 square kilometers that has experienced a significant rise in crimes where guns are concerned. Gun violence has placed the island’s citizens and visitors on alert. This recent attack on the Trinidadian artist and his entourage underscores the escalating state of insecurity.

It came a week after another tragic incident occurred at the start of this month; the wife of the leader of the Oualichi Movement for Change, Olivier Arrindell, lost her life after being fatally shot in a state of attack on herself and her husband.

The community is in shock and sorrow following the mentioned criminal activities. As of now, four suspects in relation to the attack have been apprehended the police.

As the Trinidadian artist continues to fight for his life, the St Maarten community and his fans wish for a speedy recovery for all those injured in this senseless act of violence. The incident left a somber shadow over the island and sharply brought forth the challenge of urgently instituting effective measures to counteract the rising tide of crime is upon them.