Five people are dead after a mass shooting on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, police said Thursday.
The victims, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed late Wednesday in Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent. The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. near a cruise ship terminal.
Police told ABC News that a vehicle pulled up, and its occupants opened fire. No one has been arrested in connection to the shooting. The motive is unclear.
St. Vincent Police Commissioner Colin John said during a press conference that it appears an assault rifle was used.
“We also received intel about possible reprisals, and that is something that we are taking very seriously,” he said.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who is on an official trip to Morocco, said in a video that they will “get to the bottom of this” and “bring the perpetrators to justice.” Additionally, he offered his condolences to the families affected.
“We must not panic,” Gonsalves added. “We must be resolute in fighting the criminals.”
St. Vincents and the Grenadines are a cluster of islands with a population of around 100,000 people. AP reports that the island has reported 35 murders this year, compared with a record-breaking 42 last year.
The United States is teaming up with Caribbean countries to help combat a surge in crime and violence. Last month, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the U.S. is investing millions of dollars into fighting weapons trafficking in the area.
