The community of Villa in Antigua has been plunged into mourning after two teenagers were killed in a suspected drive-by shooting on March 26.

The victims have been identified as 17-year-old Omari Lewis and 18-year-old Brianna Clarke. The exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear.

The incident has pushed Antigua and Barbuda’s murder toll to eight for the year.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who said he personally knows the families of the victims, extended condolences and called on citizens to assist law enforcement in tackling gun violence.

“I want to make a greater national appeal for individuals to help law enforcement with information on individuals who have these firearms, especially our youth who are in possession of firearms, to get information to law enforcement so that we can make proactive interventions,” Browne said.

He noted a troubling trend in the use of high-powered weapons by criminals.

Browne said the government is working to strengthen legislation to combat crime but expressed concern about what he described as “lenient” sentencing by the courts.

“People involved in gun crimes should be put away for a long time. And the extent of their confinement should be such that the youth must think twice. I also want to make an appeal to the judiciary, we know they are independent of the executive and the parliament, but when the parliamentarians go to parliament and they increase the maximum sentence to 10 and 15 years how can you justifiably give people 18 months and one year?”

He also criticised regional appellate decisions, stating that the judiciary was “letting down” the Caribbean.

“They are trying to show they are in charge and they must be able to determine what level of sentence. But if the executive has shown that they are willing to put away people for a long time, why are members of the judiciary, even at the level of the appeals court, seeking to undermine that? And that is precisely what they are doing and they need to stop.”

While reaffirming respect for judicial independence, Browne said court decisions should not undermine efforts to combat crime.

He also outlined additional measures being implemented, including the installation of 200 security cameras across the country to act as both a deterrent and investigative tool.

Browne made a direct appeal to young people, urging them to avoid a life of crime.

“It’s just one or two possible outcomes, either jail or the cemetery. They have viable options — they have the opportunity to work, they have the opportunity to upskill.”

He added: “Quick money may be sweet, but quick money bitter in the end. There’s no sustainability in being involved in narcotics or robbing people.”

The Prime Minister also urged women to be cautious in their relationships.

“Be very careful in terms of who you date, who you have relationships with. If you know that your person is not productively engaged and is involved in a life of crime and violence, you’re putting yourself at risk.”

He ended with a broader call for national responsibility.

“Each of us, as a citizen and resident, must take responsibility to provide information to law enforcement, to raise better children, to encourage our neighbours, friends or relatives to be better citizens and not to pursue a life of crime and violence.”

Meanwhile, Clarke’s grief-stricken grandmother, Blondelle Gunthorpes Hopkins, told state broadcaster ABS that she wants justice.

“I would want the full extent of the law because the person whose life you took, she was a gem. She’s innocent. She doesn’t like confrontation.”

Hopkins said Clarke was on course to graduate from the Muriel O’Marde Campus of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies and was planning to become a chef.

The family had been preparing to attend her graduation.

“To the persons who did this. I am going to get justice for my Bri Bri,” she added.