Trinidad & Tobago Murder Rate Spikes To 140

The latest T&T murder victim is British national Adrian St John. (Chris Gayle image/Twitter)

By NAN Contributor

News Americas, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Weds. April 13, 2016:  The murder rate in the twin island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago continues to spike, reaching a whopping 140 in 103 days so far this year.

Among the latest victim of the frightening trend is a 22-year-old young British cricketer. Adrian St John, who played for the Chris Gayle Academy in London, died Sunday after reportedly being shot by robbers in Trinidad over a mobile phone.

Trinidad media reports indicate St John was attacked after he stopped his car to pick up someone while on holiday on the island. A 24-year-old man has been arrested, the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian Online reported.

“Such sad news to hear. My condolences to his family & friends. Adrian St John was the captain of the academy. #Sigh,” tweeted West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle on the news of the murder of St John.

St John graduated from Hertfordshire University, where he also played cricket, in 2014 with a degree in history and philosophy.

In its latest report, The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), says the crime rate in T&T is “critical” and “the government faces numerous challenges in its effort to reduce crime, including an overburdened legal system, bureaucratic resistance to change, unemployment in marginal areas, disenfranchised youth, and the negative influence of gangs, drugs, and weapons.”

Meanwhile, a UK government travel advice updated on T&T on April 6th warns nationals traveling there to “always drive with windows closed and doors locked.”

The government also warns that “there is a high level of gang related violent crime in Trinidad, particularly in the inner city neighborhoods east of Port of Spain’s city centre, Laventille, Morvant and Barataria. This crime tends to occur within local communities but can sometimes affect visitors.”

“If possible, avoid travel outside major populated areas late at night and before dawn. There have been incidents of violence and fatal accidents caused by erratic driving to and from Piarco International airport, particularly on the Beetham/Churchill Roosevelt highway and Lady Young Road,” added the latest update, which was current as of yesterday, April 12th.