By Deslyn A Joseph
The heartbreaking demise of 16-year-old Vonde Bowers, a talented cricketer, has reverberated across the nation, eliciting reactions of sympathy from officials including Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Member of Parliament (MP) for St John’s Rural West Richard Lewis, Minister of Sports and Education Daryll Matthew, and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB).
At around 9:10pm on Tuesday, EMTs and law enforcement responded to a report of a wounding incident at Gray’s Farm, where Bowers, a resident of Liberta Village, was reportedly injured during a physical confrontation.
He was taken to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center (SLBMC) with several stab wounds about his body and was later declared dead at 9:36pm. A suspect, who was apprehended shortly afterwards was in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigations.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressed the tragic incident in a statement.
“We are all saddened by the untimely passing of this talented young man, robbing our society of his contribution to nation-building. The issue of youth violence is now an existential threat facing the Caribbean region. This is a matter occupying the attention of our government, as we seek to enhance our anti-violence and conflict resolution initiatives.”
In extending condolences to the family of the deceased, Browne added that the government cannot do it alone and indicated that interventions need to start within the homes, with better parenting, to create stronger and more wholesome families. He described the current situation as “a crucial time in our development” and called on all stakeholders to play their roles in resolving threats to the nation’s development and quality of life.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for St John’s Rural West, Richard Lewis, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Bowers family on the passing of the young cricketer. Characterizing the matter as urgent, MP Lewis advocated for a “multi-faceted approach” to address crime, encouraging residents to refrain from assigning blame and collaborate in formulating an effective strategy for combating crime.
“I am presently abroad and awoke to the heartbreaking news of the untimely passing of the talented young cricketer, 16-year-old Vonde Bowers. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Vangetta, David, Ola, and the entire family of Vonde. My heart is heavy for my community. It is imperative that crime in our community is addressed and promptly; requiring a comprehensive approach. I urge all of us as members of this community to unite in the battle against this menace. Let us cease the blame game and collaborate to formulate an effective crime-fighting strategy.”
Echoing sentiments similar to those of the PM, Lewis added: “We are all in this together. Additionally, we must prioritize crime prevention. There is a pressing need for more youth intervention programmes.”
He also commended the Office of Youth Intervention within the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda for its commendable youth intervention initiatives in the community.
The MP urged parents, educational institutions, religious organizations, community associations, and sporting clubs to intensify their efforts in combatting crime and violence. He emphasized that safeguarding the youth of the nation should be a shared priority, explaining that they require the nation’s complete cooperation and support.
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