TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Trinidad & Tobago reached 100, according to Guardian Media reports. The year began with a high frequency of violent crimes, including a businessman killed on New Year’s Day and numerous gang-related shootings, often occurring in residential areas rather than just traditional “hot spots,” with victims predominantly males aged 16-35.
A highly unusual discovery was made at Cumuto Cemetery on April 18-19, where the remains of at least 50 infants and six adults were found discarded, prompting a major investigation.
A State of Emergency was declared in early March 2026 to combat the violence. While Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin stated that the SoE has enabled faster police action and disrupted criminal activity, 96 murders were reported, with 11 occurring in just the first few days of the year.
Police have reported that many murders are linked to gang violence and that they are seeing high levels of serious crime, with over 1,200 incidents reported in the first two months.
A female municipal police officer was found dead at the San Fernando Municipal Police Station. She has been identified as Acting Corporal Anuska Eversley of the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service.
Investigators were also probing the disappearance of a large cache of firearms and ammunition from the station’s strong room.
Police sources said approximately 62 Glock pistols, six shotguns, four MPX-type firearms, and more than 4,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition are missing.
Eversley was last seen alive around 11.00 p.m. on Saturday in the charge room area at the station on King’s Wharf, Lady Hailes Avenue. Around 4:40 a.m. on Sunday, an officer on duty returned and found the area in darkness. He later observed what appeared to be blood near the Corporal quarters and discovered the strong room open.
Homicide Region III officers are continuing inquiries into the death and the missing weapons.
JAMAICA
Jamaica has experienced a significant, sustained reduction in murders, with January 2026 recording the lowest monthly figure since 2001, following a 31-year low in 2025.
Despite this downward trend, specific areas like St. James, St. Andrew South, and Clarendon still report high incidents, with domestic disputes and gang violence remaining primary drivers of crime.
January 2026 saw 33 murders, a 55% reduction compared to January 2025. This was reported as the lowest monthly murder figure for January since 2001.
BARBADOS
As of early April 2026, Barbados has recorded multiple homicides, with reports indicating at least 19 homicides occurred in the country by April 10, 2026. The majority of these incidents involved gun violence in the St. Michael and Christ Church areas.
On March 1, 2026, the country experienced a violent 24 hours with three separate killings, including a shooting at Cox Road, Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church, a stabbing at Lower Bridge Gap, and a shooting in Chapman Cross Street, St. Michael.
ST. LUCIA
As of mid-April 2026, Saint Lucia has experienced a concerning rise in homicides, with at least 23 murders recorded by mid-April. Gun violence dominates these incidents, including a double murder in April 2026 within 24 hours. The incidents follow 2022–2023 highs, prompting intense police focus on gun violence.
Reports indicate a rapid increase in violence, with figures reaching 23 following two separate fatal shootings 24 hours apart in April 2026.
Early Year Violence: By January 19, 2026, four homicides were recorded (two stabbings, one shooting, and one decomposed body).
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
As of April 14, 2026, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has recorded 13 homicides for the year. This represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025, during which only six homicides had been reported.
Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Major St. Claire Leacock, have noted that SVG continues to grapple with rising crime rates, often linked to local gang rivalries and drug trafficking.
In response to the spike in early February, the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force held emergency meetings to address the weekend violence.
DOMINICA
As of April 2026, Dominica has experienced multiple homicides, with police investigating at least two incidents in March 2026, including a homicide in Roseau involving Rasaan Griffith on March 13.
A 40-year-old Roseau man was charged for a homicide earlier in the year, and a fatal shooting was reported on January 11, 2026.
In April 2026, two US nationals pleaded not guilty to the 2023 murders of Canadian philanthropist Daniel Langlois and Dominique.
GRENADA
Several violent murders occurred in Grenada in early 2026, causing significant public concern over rising violence against women and community safety. Key incidents included the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Aleandra Lett-Hypolite in February, the shooting of 18-year-old Terrecheal Sebastian in Tivoli on February 17, and the discovery of a body in Lance Aux Epines in January.
In March 2026, a Vincentian national, Elton Elliston Andrew, and a local farmer, Daniel George, were found guilty of the 2023 murder of Jonathan “Not Nice” Richards.
In regards to Domestic/Gender-Based Violence, Officials and community activists have highlighted these murders as part of a disturbing trend of violence against women in the country.
GUYANA
As of early 2026, Guyana is experiencing ongoing serious crime, with 2025 ending with 130 recorded murders, a rise from previous years. In early 2026, specific cases are proceeding, including multiple murder trials listed for the February 2026 Criminal Assizes in Essequibo and Berbice.
High rates of “disorderly murders” from conflicts remain common, particularly in Region 4.
SURINAME
A violent stabbing spree on January 3, 2026, in Suriname resulted in nine fatalities, including children, in a suspected domestic incident in the Commewijne district. The 43-year-old assailant later died by suicide in jail. Additionally, an 8-year-old boy was stabbed to death by his stepmother in Paramaribo on January 1, 2026.
In January 2026, a 43-year-old man, following a domestic dispute and phone argument with his estranged wife, killed four of his children, five neighbours (including a child), and wounded two others in a brutal attack.
BAHAMAS
As of March 2026, the Bahamas has experienced several murders primarily driven by gang retaliation and conflict, with a high concentration of violent incidents in the South Central and Southern divisions of New Providence.
Males aged 18-45 are the most common victims, and firearms are the leading cause of death, with at least one high-profile case involving police.
Cody Castillo, an American lineman working in the Bahamas, was shot and killed in March 2026; a Bahamian police officer has been charged with his murder.
Victims were mostly male (93%), with 83% of victims between 18 and 45 years old.
BELIZE
As of late March 2026, Belize has experienced several violent incidents, including a notable triple murder on Ambergris Caye, a double murder in Belmopan, and multiple fatal shootings in Belize City and Ladyville.
Police investigations indicate that several incidents are linked to gang rivalries and drug trafficking.
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
As of late March 2026, homicides in Antigua and Barbuda have increased significantly, reported at double the rate of the same period in 2025.
Key incidents include a double homicide in Villa on March 26, the fatal shooting of a female in Gray’s Farm in January, and the murder of Ashworth O’Brien, marking at least four homicides early in the year.
Police officials noted that by early March 2026, homicides had increased by 100% compared to the same period in 2025.
ST. KITTS & NEVIS
As of April 2026, St. Kitts and Nevis has experienced violent incidents, including a fatal stabbing on January 2, 2026, of 18-year-old Kaden Hanley in Basseterre and an execution-style killing of Jerod “Jay Bay” Stapleton in Ottley’s on April 18, 2026. These incidents follow a significant 76% reduction in homicides recorded during 2025.
While 2025 saw a major drop in crime, 2026 began with immediate violence, prompting police investigation into a new surge in gun violence.
MONTSERRAT
As of early April 2026, Montserrat has reported zero murders, making it one of only two Caribbean territories to maintain a murder-free status this year. Reports indicate that along with the Turks and Caicos Islands, Montserrat has avoided the fatal violent crime reported elsewhere in the region, including in larger Caribbean nations.
In conclusion, based on reports from early 2026, the English-speaking Caribbean shows mixed trends in violent crime, with significant reductions in homicide rates in some nations alongside ongoing, high-profile investigations and gang-related violence in others.
Please note that this article was compiled by Simeon Collins who is a former Director of the Grenada Bureau of Standards and first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), a CARICOM Institution. He is also a certified OSHA Auditor. He was also the Chairman of the Emergency Housing Committee (EHC) named by Cabinet after Hurricane Ivan destroyed Grenada to rebuild the housing stock in this country.