Heartache For Sister After Losing Teen Brother To Gun Violence

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

“I feel empty,” says Tanisha John, the sister of 17-year-old Alva Cole.

Alva sustained fatal gunshot injuries around 9:15 pm Sunday while at a small shop in Fond Assau, Babonneau.

Though the details surrounding the incident are still sketchy, it has renewed public concern over the loss of young males to deadly gun violence.

The deceased’s sister said she was at a loss for words as a result of the latest homicide.

Tanisha explained that she and her younger sibling were very close.

“He always used to be there playing games with my sons, but he’s not going to be there anymore,” the mother of two young boys lamented.

According to Tanisha, the cold-blooded murder of her brother at just 17 years old leaves her to question today’s morals and worry about the future of her own sons.

“Look I have two sons growing up, I don’t even know what to expect,” Tanisha stated.

She recalled that she and Alva were in the Fond Assau area to attend a football game together, and he had just returned from buying them drinks when he left again, never to return.

The sister disclosed that a phone call from another brother alerted her to a shooting, prompting her to go in search of Alva. 

” So while I was passing, I saw some girls watching the picture, I told them let me see the picture. So from time I see the black shirt with the polka dots – because he and my son was wearing the same shirt –  I say “Wah, my brother that there,” and I run to the scene. When I got there I say ‘Where my brother?’ and I see my brother dead on the ground,” she said, her voice breaking under the weight of her emotions. 

Tanisha explained that her heartache deepened because her sons had been asking all morning for their uncle, who is no more.

Saint Lucia has so far recorded 53 homicides in 2024.

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