Man in Police Custody for Stabbing His Cousin to Death without Provocation in Mero

A 27-year-old man, Avandale Baptiste, has been fatally stabbed to death – by his own cousin, Javeed Shillingford. The stabbing incident took place on Monday morning and Shillingford has been taken into police custody. Baptiste was reportedly about to enter his car along the Mero Village road when his assailant emerged from nowhere and fatally stabbed him.

Baptiste was rushed off to the Princess Margaret Hospital but he died shortly after arrival. His body has since been deposited at the Gentle Rest Funeral Home.

Assistant Police Commissioner Richmond Valentine said the incident of Baptiste’s death was a preventable one, and that no stone will be left unturned to unravel the mystery behind his killing. United Workers Party candidate for St. Joseph constituency, Monelle Williams, also condemned the stabbing death of Baptiste, saying the entire community has lost a father and a soldier.

We have lost a soldier in the community and in the western hamlets of the St.Joseph constituency,” Monelle Williams said. “He was an amazing young man and I want to take time now to express my sincerest condolences to the family of Avandale Baptiste, A father, he was a big brother, a friend to many and maybe to all.

Monelle Williams: UWP candidate for St. Joseph

Williams advised youths in the community and the entire country to resolve their differences amicably instead of resorting to violence. She also asked the youths to engage in constructive activities that will make them responsible leaders of tomorrow, and shun violence.  “I can not say this enough how important it is that our young men are engaged in more constructive activities,” she stressed.

Williams revealed that Baptiste was a vocal, community young man and among the first individuals to set up a cleanup initiative at the Mero Beach after Huricane Maria occurred. She added that the Mero Improvement Committee has obviously lost a great individual who happened to be a hustler, farmer and fisherman among other things.

The police is still trying to unravel why Shillingford did what he did since there was no known argument or fight between him and his slain cousin Baptiste.

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