Roseau South MP condemns recent shootings in Dominica

Joshua Francis is MP for Roseau South

Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South Constituency, Attorney Joshua Francis has condemned the recent “senseless” shootings in Dominica, saying there appears to be a cloud of darkness hanging over the island.

He was speaking during a live video on Facebook moments after 25-yr-old Curtson Charles of Silver Lake was shot dead in that community on Wednesday night.

There have been four reported shooting incidents this month with three being fatal.

“Once again as the Parliamentary Representative of the Roseau South Constituency, I condemn the killings in my constituency and everywhere else Dominica,” he said. “There is no rational and no justification for anyone in any part of the country to get on a vehicle, drive into a community and shoot another person.”

He said no one knows that details of what transpired between the Charles and the alleged shooters but, according to him, it cannot be rational.

He stated that it is never right for people to settle their differences by shooting and is a sign that the society is unable to mediate its differences.

“It means that as a society we have also lost the ability to mediate, we have lost the ability to settle our differences by mediation,” Francis explained. “Our value system has broken, it has been destroyed…”

He added, “It is really sad as a Parliamentary Representative having gone through a long day listening to people’s problems to hear of another shooting.”

Francis said Dominicans to wake up because something isn’t right in the country.

“Too much darkness and too much sadness are walking to and through the corners of this country,” Francis lamented. “Let us wake up and let us take back our country, let us take back our families, let us take back our schools, let us take back our religions and let us take back our communities.”

He stated further that one also has to question the issue of illegal firearms in Dominica.

“Where are these guns coming from? Who are the suppliers? Who are the people in possession? How many young men are armed with illegal firearm?” Francis asked. “What do we intend to do about what appears to be the prevalence of illegal firearm among our young men? What can we do? How do we intend to tackle it? Are we going to have a unified front? Are we going to combat it as a community? Are we going once again to fight among ourselves even in fighting against an enemy? Are we going to pass the appropriate legislation? Are we going to be motivated to help one another to rid of that demon which is walking to and through the island?”

He said it is time for Dominica to put away partisanship, pettiness, fighting, “this demonization, this destruction.”

“It is taking us nowhere as a nation,” Francis stressed. “The way it is right now if we continue that trend we are going to have a serious problem at hand.”

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

28 Comments

  1. Gary
    September 1, 2018

    Wow, pity you for writing such a comment.

  2. Vic Fermat
    September 1, 2018

    I think most people are thinking in a quite predictable way. The problem is not the availability of guns, but the people who seek guns with an intention of killing people. The government should bring in emergency measures to deal with the problem at hand and root and branch reform of our society, so that all young people will be socialised constructively by their parents and society. Every body in Dominica should be in some kind of employment be it education or work.

    We have to avoid being like Jamaica. We as a people should become in tolerant of idleness. There are too many people living unproductive lives. Every fit and able person should be regimented into some scheme of employment, at the end of which they will have skills to help them keep away from crime. We have a tendency of leaving things to God or appealing to the individual to “be good”. What we are dealing with here is human nature – people and their motivation, if something radical is not done these few people will…

  3. Peeping Tom
    August 31, 2018

    Ah yes, a time to show his face and to sound relevant. Only in Dominica. What a farce!!

  4. Shirley
    August 31, 2018

    These killings will continue in Dominica whilst there is no punishment for the killers.
    Imagine, a man kill another man/woman be it by the gun, knife or other forms, the killer is given bail and is on so call bail for years whilst the victim’s family are left to suffer their loss.
    There is no justice in Dominica and criminals will continue with their criminal spree as they know they can do as they like as there is no law and punishment for them.

  5. August 31, 2018

    Those in authority need to move quickly and get a firm grip on that situation…Less, that’s a sure sign of lawlessness on the horizon …
    An eye for an eye…A tooth for a tooth….
    Noooo….not good….

  6. August 30, 2018

    The whole problem is that there are too many people wandering their community with a dead conscience, that means, God is nowhere connected to them. Hence their walk is the walk of darkness; it is the state of the mind where all evil and wicked fruits are its productions.

    The truth is that many people need an exorcism, the way that God removes the darkness of evil and hate from their mind and replace with the Light of Life in Love. For the devil has engulfed their mind, or maybe he is their very father–ut with God he has no victory.

    The only thing that we, the people of God can do, is to pray that He will keep us away from the company of those creatures of darkness, wickedness, and evil. Let us be sure that He is walking with us, by the Power of His Holy Spirit, before we take the first step of our walk for the day.

    For my whole family and people of Dominica, this is my prayer on your before.

    • Gary
      September 1, 2018

      You and your religious beliefs. You sound like some religious fanatic in the dark ages, during the inquisition.

    • Vic Fermat
      September 2, 2018

      God, The Bible, Prayers, … Elizabeth you are talking pure nonsense. human problems require human intervention. What is wrong with using your own brain? Your religious faith has no effect on a motivated person with a gun intent on killing.

  7. watchdog
    August 30, 2018

    As stated this country is on the brink of civil unrest. The Corrupted government has relied on how much money they can bank at the expense and the lost of lives of it’s citizens. There is a clear indication that the head of the Police department has lost it’s ability to properly execute their duties. The wave of killings clearly defines that. This is the product that is achieved when friends and families have filled positions that are required by competent individuals.
    No one can fix this but only the people of this country. Your government have manipulated and exhausted every inability that one possess to comprehend what is going on. To further explain, some of you do not have the ability to differentiate wrong from right.
    Three of us sat in the same class room resulted in having impeccable careers. Two of us have since departed. This country is on the path of civil unrest. The mass shootings are clear examples of the lawlessness that fuels these killings. Take my warning leave…

    • Gary
      September 1, 2018

      Wow, take your warming, LOL. Do you know how silly you sound. You are accusing your fellow men of not knowing the difference between right and wrong, but do you know the difference between facts and fiction, isn’t that sad. Why such an exaggeration, it just distances you from the truth. Please, there is nothing in your comment that
      that warrants people to take your warning.

      • Ibo France
        September 1, 2018

        Gary, you go hibernating for weeks then return in a state of stupor to excoriate fair-minded critics of your unproductive, unethical government. Stop questioning people’s intelligence when you suffer from severe mental constipation. The guy’s main point is that too many unqualified people are placed in positions throughout the civil service and do not have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience. They are just square pegs in round holes. This is very costly to the taxpayers. Chill out!

      • Gary
        September 2, 2018

        Ibo France
        When you read something, do you read it to understand and them use reason to make an intelligent argument or do you read to respond eloquent believing that your eloquence can cover for your intelligence, the latter is what you are skilled at.

        What does an unproductive and unethical government have to do with someone committing such senseless murder. Is this senseless killing a result of too many unqualified people placed in positions throughout the civil service, wow. Apart from blaming the Government what about the exaggerations made, is Dominica on the brink of civil unrest. What “mass shootings” are clear examples of the lawlessness that fuels these killings, is this an accurate description as to what is happening in Dominica, and you telling me that I’m suffering from mental constipation for challenging such assumptions.

      • KID ON THE BLOCK
        September 2, 2018

        Ibo, are you for real? Did you say “UNQUALIFIED” persons placed in position that they don’t have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience?
        Question. Does Lennox has those qualities you mentioned to run the country? Wouldn’t he like a round peg in a square hole? A guy who did not complete high school because of bad behavior. Not a school leaving certificate yet you see him fit to govern. Are you serious? You have the nerve to comment and say too many unqualified persons in the civil service. Truly you ALL UWPITES are suffering from some type of infurier complex. You ALL are desperate and will do and say anything in your desperation. Because of YOU ALL behavior the country is in such a state as it is now. All you do is oppose negatively and criticize. Spew hatred and jealousy and encourage and facilitate crime in the country. You ALL are a SPECIAL breed of HOOLIGANS always at war even with your own selves.

  8. Bob Denis
    August 30, 2018

    Mr Francis, your heart seems to be in the right place, but redemption may not be forth coming. Dominica have gone through senario’s of Biblical proportions, the effects of destruction plus the lack of seeing within and counseling, continue to bring out the Animal that is man. A Human being, is defined as having a Spirit endowed with Reason and with Free Will combined with a Soul and an Animal Body. Yes, young African males of the Western Hemisphere, because of the education received, continue to kill each other, while self HATING. The worst may still be on the way.

    • Gary
      September 1, 2018

      What is it that seems to you that Mr.Francis heart is in the right place. Mr. Francis is a Politician, what he is doing can be described as one of the oldest tricks in the game of politics, condemn such tragic behavior, display sympathy, and show he knows what the problem is, that’s how he was elected.

      You are quick to speak about the scenarios of “Biblical proportions” regarding past events in Dominica, but I will ask you, the description you gave as to what a Human being is does that correspond to what the Bible says quote
      “man is created in the image and likeness of God”.
      Do you know what it is to be the image and likeness of God. I will also ask you this, are the African males in Africa who are not educated in the West immune from killing each other and propagating self-hate. Why do you end your comment with such gloom and doom, if such is the mental atmosphere of the people of Dominica then here goes the reason why such things happen, mindful of the collective thoughts

      • Ibo France
        September 2, 2018

        Gary , your wordy meandering comment is unhelpful in the scheme of things. Instead of castigating the current ‘do nothing’ totalitarian administration for hiding and accommodating international fugitives, for using the security forces to harass and detain innocent members of the opposition, for failure to supply the police force with the requisite man power, training and equipment, for failure to prosecute the perpetrators for fire bombing the home of an elderly couple, for tarnishing law enforcement with their polluted politics. Not a word of condemnation from you for all these glaring flaws by this nakedly hopelessly corrupt Skerrit-led regime.

  9. Joseph John
    August 30, 2018

    Why is the minister so selective. He should come out and condemn ALL VIOLENCE including verbal and sexual abuse and all looting activities. He should insist on equal respect for all.
    Maybe he can start a crusade to prevent Dominica from sliding into uncivilized behavior.
    Maybe he can convince opposition forces to display a more positive attitude with a negotiation and persuasive posture instead of their negative aggressive and confrontational profile.
    Some people will feed into this atmosphere of political hatred that is being perpetuated presently will become more violent ad will result in terrorism.
    THIS MOB AND GANGSTER MINDSET can only lead to dangerous social and economic regression.

    And we wonder why Ross left. You do not have to do a projective meta-analysis to draw the appropriate
    conclusion.

    • Peeping Tom
      August 31, 2018

      Wow!! “Projective meta-analysis!” This person knows stuff.

      SMH! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  10. mine
    August 30, 2018

    If they are rivals they keep killing each other no matter how tough they are on gun control. They are heartless, wicked and have no respect for human life. If they had love their family, others and themselves they would think before committing these rimes.

  11. %
    August 30, 2018

    I posted this last week after the Roseau killing,and I got a mauling from some Labourites.But I will blogg it again.
    I am calling on patriot honourable Linton
    I am calling on patriot Mr Vital
    Sirs this is a “”cannot do””” government.
    You all can come up with some solutions,and let the public know that they were forwarded to this inrpt government.This cannot be allowed to continue

    • Thanks ?
      August 31, 2018

      % you got mulled because of your upside down political biases! Praising yourself and Using people’s bereavement to further your political views is detestable. Since you have all the answers, why didn’t you use your influence to stop ? the shots that were ? fired during your presence at the funeral? Work for the Marigot Constituency it has become run down and gettoish since your tenure.

  12. Ibo France
    August 30, 2018

    To minimize these senseless murders, there needs to be a three pronged approach. The government must supply law enforcement with the requisite resources and training. The opposition parties should contribute with practical plans and crime fighting ideas. Finally, civil society should provide moral sustenance especially to the youth and provide relevant information concerning criminal activities to law authorities. Also, the politicization of all law agencies and institutions MUST end.

    • Carmen
      August 31, 2018

      Cross train the toy cops with the RSS. Have the RSS here regularly, rotate them, they have no friends here to be impartial.

  13. Belle Marche
    August 30, 2018

    I need to see the PM and leader of the opposition make a joint statement about the violence taking place in Dominica. The churches should be at the forefront in seeking to bring about a change.

  14. CECIL D LAWRENCE
    August 30, 2018

    This is an ongoing problem especially in the Laplaine constituency, where number of bodies found dead and massacred. Where are they getting those weapons? Visitors and citizens attends what suppose to be a friendly event and majority of the gang related individuals are armed in a simple community entertainment event. The laws are not stringent enough because citizens are reporting of nightly gun shot firing and no investigation is being led to catch the perpetrators. How hard it is compare to how the police force can raid for marijuana, can’t the same can be done for gun control? Now is the time to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. As your former classmate living abroad i strongly encourage you to stand your ground on gun control.

    • Hmmmmmm
      August 30, 2018

      U living abroad but saying this is prevalant in laplaine? U clearly out of touch…..how much murder u ever hear of in laplaine

  15. Martin
    August 30, 2018

    This is an ongoing problem especially in the Laplaine constituency, where number of bodies found dead and massacred. Where are they getting those weapons? Visitors and citizens attends what suppose to be a friendly event and majority of the gang related individuals are armed in a simple community entertainment event. The laws are not stringent enough because citizens are reporting of nightly gun shot firing and no investigation is being led to catch the perpetrators. How hard it is compare to how the police force can raid for marijuana, can’t the same can be done for gun control? Now is the time to nip it in the bud beforeit gets out of hand. As your former classmate living abroad i strongly encourage you to stand your ground on gun control.

  16. Pondering
    August 30, 2018

    Domnica is going somewhere… down the drain.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available