The Executive Director of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, Brian Louisy, has expressed deep sorrow and outrage following the tragic shooting death of Stefan Eudovic, a CPJ employee and resident of La Croix Maingot. Eudovic was fatally shot during a brazen daylight robbery on Tuesday in Belair, which pushed Saint Lucia’s homicide toll for the year to 74.
Two masked assailants reportedly targeted a CPJ goods vehicle, shooting Eudovic in the upper thigh. Despite emergency medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries. The incident has reignited concerns over safety and security for employees and businesses, especially during the holiday season when criminal activity often escalates.
In a statement to St. Lucia Times on Wednesday, Louisy described the incident as “a sad day for the country, businesses, and affected families,” emphasising the toll that crime exacts on society.
“I wish to extend condolences to the family of the gentleman who was a victim of this incident and has succumbed to his injuries. It is saddening, and it’s not something anyone would have expected or hoped for,” Louisy said.
Louisy noted that goods vehicles have increasingly become targets of criminal activity, recalling a spate of similar robberies in recent years. He highlighted the ripple effects of such incidents, including higher security costs for businesses, which are often passed on to consumers.
“This is unacceptable. We need to do better. Businesses need to be a lot more alert and put security measures in place. We need to work with the police to ensure greater patrols and presence,” Louisy said.
He stressed the financial and emotional costs of crime, highlighting that its impact goes beyond immediate losses to include heightened security expenses, loss of life, and mental stress on citizens.
Louisy urged the business community to prioritise the safety of employees over material goods and called for enhanced training and procedures to de-escalate potentially violent situations.
“The lives of team members are more valuable than the goods at stake. Businesses must adopt strategies to minimise the risk of violence and loss of life,” he told St. Lucia Times.
The Executive Director also reiterated the Chamber’s long-standing appeal for stronger partnerships with law enforcement to combat crime.
“We’d like to see greater police presence and patrols all over the country. We need a concerted effort to ensure public safety,” he stated.
Tuesday’s fatal shooting was a reminder of the ongoing crime issue, prompting the Chamber and business community to call for immediate and collective action to prevent future tragedies.
“This is a wake-up call for us all,” Louisy declared.
