Photo: Observer Media
Bathlodge residents who have long regarded their community as peaceful are now worried about their families’ safety after a late-night shooting killed 20-year-old Saquania Anthony and wounded two others.
“Bathlodge is not an area for crime. It’s very quiet,” one resident told Observer Media on Tuesday. “When it reach in a village like Bathlodge now, you say to yourself, this thing really get out of hand.”
Anthony was killed in the September 21 attack. A 24-year-old man was wounded and is in stable condition, while a 13-year-old boy remains in serious but stable condition.
Police said they responded at about 11:30 p.m. and found Anthony unresponsive with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds.
She was pronounced dead at approximately 1:58 a.m. Tuesday. Preliminary investigations indicate that three masked intruders forced their way into a residence where several people were gathered and fired several rounds.
Two men were arrested shortly after the shooting. Police are searching for a third person believed to have been involved.
For those living nearby, the arrests have yet to settle the fear and uncertainty left by the attack. One resident who said he knows Anthony’s family described neighbours as troubled and struggling to understand what led to the violence.
“A lot of people are feeling troubled because people are seeking for answers and most people are clueless to what is going on,” he said.
The resident alleged that disagreements and threats had arisen among young people he believed were connected to the incident. Police have not confirmed those claims or announced a motive.
Another resident expressed particular concern for the wounded teenager, describing him as “very innocent”. He said the shooting had also made him worry about the safety of his own family.
A third resident called for more guidance for young people and greater involvement from parents and neighbours, saying a police response alone would not address the wider problem.
“The youth and them, they really need some more parental guidance,” he said. “This situation really needs a holistic approach. It really need some serious attention, from my personal point of view.”
Police investigations are continuing. Anyone with information can contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or 462-3914, Crime Stoppers at 800-TIPS (8477), or the nearest police station.
Observation: Most of the crimes are happening in the communities known for their quietness and tranquil atmosphere.people we have to form neighborhood watch group and exposed the undesirables it not business as usual things has changed
And for the family grieving, may they find strength during this terrible time. One young life gone is already one too many.
For something like this to happen is deeply troubling. But while people are asking questions, we also have to let the police investigation establish the facts and avoid spreading rumours.