Police concerned as homicides rise 25%, most linked to firearms

Homicides in Saint Lucia have gone up sharply this year, with police reporting a 25% increase compared to the same time in 2025.

At a police press briefing on Thursday, Assistant Commissioner Luke Defrietas said there have been 40 homicides so far, up from 32 at this time last year.

Firearms are still the main cause of death in these cases, making up 73% of all killings. Of the 40 victims, 29 were shot, nine were stabbed, and two died from blunt force trauma.

Defreitas also pointed out that most of the victims are men.

“Thirty-seven of the forty victims are male, representing ninety-three per cent of all homicide victims,” he said.

The most affected age group is 21 to 35 years, showing that young adults remain especially vulnerable to violent crime.

Homicides have been recorded across all three policing divisions. The Central Division has registered the highest number of murders, followed by the Southern Division and the Northern Division.

Despite the increase in killings, police say progress has been made in solving cases. Defreitas said 17 of 40 homicide cases have been solved, for a 43% detection rate. All 17 have led to criminal charges.

The article Police concerned as homicides rise 25%, most linked to firearms is from St. Lucia Times.