Dead are 27 year old David Thomas of Buckley’s and 29 year old Karando Otto of Cayon.

According to police sources in Basseterre, Otto is said to have been shot and killed between 8:30pm-9:30pm on Sunday night in Cayon. It is also reported that two others were shot and are now hospitalized at the Joseph N France General Hospital in Basseterre.

Otto’s demise came approximately 17 hours after the killing, early Sunday morning, of David Thomas, who police confirmed met his death around 1:30am-1:45am.

No specific details have been provided at this time about the circumstances that led to the homicides but community residents have been offering their own speculations.

As the families of these victims mourn their loss, the National Parliament of St. Kitts & Nevis is getting ready to debate and hopefully introduce new legislation that is designed to strengthen the authority of the security forces, to combat the increasing gang related crime and violence that are negatively impacting the country.

One other measure that government is hoping will make a difference is the introduction of a Parliamentary Select Committee, comprised of all political parties in the National Assembly. It will advise Parliament on legislative matters with respect to crime and violence, and to investigate and report on other matters related to the fight against crime including the human and material resource requirements for effective discharge of responsibilities by the Ministry of National Security.

A new Commissioner of Police is also expected to take office in a matter of weeks…all part of the strategy to arrest the current crime wave.

Despite these actions however, there appears to be a feeling of hopelessness that has taken root, especially amongst residents in communities directly impacted by these senseless killings.

This weekend’s killings have taken the tally of homicides for 2011, to 24; 2 in Nevis and 22 in St. Kitts.