Police have revealed the identity of a young man who was fatally shot in Grandbay on Thursday, September 11.
He was identified as 27-year-old Lee Joshua Leslie of Grand Bay.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 1:30 PM in Lalay.
On Monday, July 14, 2025, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced the establishment of a dedicated firearms task force within the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), aimed at identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting individuals involved in the possession, trafficking, and use of illegal firearms.
This decision follows a series of troubling gun-related incidents across the country. Skerrit described the recent acts of violence as “brazen and reckless,” noting that they have disrupted public peace and shaken the sense of safety “we hold dear as a people.”
He said among these measures is the creation of the Firearms Task Force, which will operate as a multi-agency unit. It will draw personnel and resources from the CDPF’s Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch, K9 Unit, Customs and Excise Division, Dominica Coast Guard, and the National Joint Intelligence Center (NJIC).
Furthermore, Skerrit stated that the government has launched a confidential hotline—1-800-8477—for citizens to report illegal firearms or suspicious activity. Skerrit announced that individuals who provide information leading to the retrieval of illegal firearms or ammunition will receive a reward of $1,000 per firearm.
“Your identity will be protected, your civic duty will be rewarded,” he assured.
During a recent press conference, Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore said, following a gun amnesty that took effect from July 16 to August 15, 2025, a total of five firearms were surrendered to the police along with a quantity of ammunition.
These firearms came from the Roseau Catchment area, Belles, and Portsmouth.
He said the amnesty was a continuation of previous efforts, including those in 2007 and October 2023.
Blackmoore told illegal firearm holders who decided to keep their firearms that if caught, they will face the consequences.
He added that making a rational decision to keep firearms in the current climate would lead to consequences for those who are caught.
Meanwhile, Acting Police Chief Lincoln Corbette reported that during the first half of this year, there was an increase in the use of firearms.
He thanked those who had come forward and surrendered their illegal firearms and ammunition.
“And although the amnesty is over, we are still urging members of the public and those who have firearms to surrender them to the police,” he encouraged.
National Joint Intelligence Center, what does it do? When was it established? DNO, can you please educate me? I sincerely hope this works nonetheless.This constant killing in our once peaceful Dominica sure has me wondering if I should visit for Independence.
I am confused. Isn’t this supposed to be coverage of a young man who has lost his life? There are no investigative details, such as where in Grand Bay this occurred, were there any witnesses, was the individual D.O.A., were there other circumstances leading to this such as a fight or something, instead we get how many paragraphs about “gun amnesty”, which obviously was not effective in this case. DNO, you need to start doing some real reporting. Condolences to the friends and family of this young man.
DNO always with tie ever says this ad says tat. He says a lot of things to no avail. Well done is always state a we said.
Gun crime is on the rise for quite a long period. Roosevelt and his security officers seem clueless as to stop the blood letting. The only thing they do exceptionally is to steal elections.
Nothing stops a bullet like a GOOD PAYING JOB. Provide great paying jobs not low paying menial work for the pros of Grand Bay and let’s see what happens.