The crime wave hits Haynesville, St James

(Barbados Nation) Terrence ‘Papa T’ Phillips was gunned down near the steps of Haynesville playing field just before 5 pm on Friday.

The 44-year-old father of two was rushed to hospital, reportedly in a private vehicle, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Residents claimed his death was like a gangland-style execution. Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite has already expressed concern about the crime situation, stating that moral decay had led to this troubled chapter in the country’s history.

“We have seen the startling crime statistics in other Caribbean countries and it would be tantamount to burying our heads in the sand if we were to believe that this is not possible in Barbados. But, left unchecked, that is precisely what would happen,” he said.

“The importation of illegal arms and illegal drugs gives the criminal element the leverage to wreak havoc on our society as the two are linked to most of the heinous acts committed,” he said.

Phillips leaves to mourn his mother Odessa Phillips and sisters Ivona Phillips and Veronica Woodall. He is the father of Leandro, 22, and Teanna, 15.

His murder is the third this month, following the double-slaying of 79-year-old Arthur ‘Fred’ Chaderton and Gerhart Stock in St George on August 2.

“He was loved by his children. My brother had his own ways of doing things and he had a few brushes with some people,” said Phillips’ sister Ivona on Friday night.