Anguillians, attending the funeral described as a “Celebration of the life of our beloved Roosevelt Fitroy Richardson”, have been advised that there is a need for all persons to work together to stamp out gun violence. The call came from the Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, who, at the time, was Acting Chief Minister and was speaking on behalf of the Government of Anguilla; and Pastor Trent Berg, Resident Minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who delivered the sermon.
The late Fitzroy (Junior) Richardson, 44, of Island Harbour, was shot and killed at West End on the night of January 28 as he approached his vehicle at the end of his work day. It was the first murder in Anguilla for 2016 and is now among a series of other cases of shooting deaths, and injuries, which the Police are investigating and soliciting the assistance of the public.
The funeral was attended by a large number of persons from across the island. In addressing the gathering, Government Minister McNiel Rogers said in part: “We are here to say farewell to our beloved brother, husband, father, cousin, friend – Junior. He is dead but the method in which his life was taken away – and all of those lives that were lost via this method – leaves us to think about it. It leaves a lot to be desired. There are many questions that we can ask because we are human beings…One question that comes to mind is, why? Why this senseless and meaningless act? Why such a person like Junior would have lost his life in this manner? They would ask what can be done…in order to prevent these senseless acts? What could Junior, and those who have lost their lives via this route, have done so wrong to be snatched away from us like this?”
Mr. Rogers, who said that Junior was gunned down in cold blood, continued: “My fellow Anguillians, guns do not have feet. Someone using a gun took Junior’s life. The issues that we are facing here in Anguilla, and in particular with gun violence, are not just issues for the Government of Anguilla, or for law enforcement. It is a dilemma we face nation-wide. We have got to come together to address these crimes that are plaguing our society…Solving these crimes is very important. But what is of paramount importance is the prevention of these crimes. There are all sorts of rights: civil rights, human rights, constitutional rights and the list goes on. But here is another question we must ask ourselves: is there a right to take someone’s life in this or any other manner?
“What I want to say is that our greatest asset is solving crime. The prevention of crime lies with us – the people of this country. Parents, the police, the school, home, church and government – all of us are in this together. We must be prepared to tackle this collectively; and all of us must be prepared to do our share in combating this scourge which has taken root in our little island.”
Mr. Rogers added that it was a sad day in Anguilla, and he extended condolences to Junior’s entire family – his wife, children, mother, grandmother and all other relatives and friends.
Pastor Trent Berg, who knew the deceased and ministered to him, regretted that there were a number of individuals in Anguilla who seemed to have concluded that the best way to solve their problems was to use a gun. He went on: “I am so glad that today I can speak not just to you – who are seated before me – but all those in radio land under the sound of my voice and, emphatically, I want you to know that murder is wrong. You don’t have the right to take the life of another person. You did not bring them here. God says to us in Romans chapter 12 verse 19 ‘dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written vengeance is mine; I will repay’. So I am comfortable to leave it in the hands of God.’”
Drawing from his personal knowledge of Junior, the Pastor described him as a quiet and serious young man who believed in the dignity of life, rejected the rumour mill of character assassination and the grapevine of personal attacks. He had made up his mind to attend church, live a spiritual life and had an intense desire for the wellbeing of his family, wanting the best for them.
The Pastor joined the Minister of Government in extending condolences to the family of the late Roosevelt Fitroy Richardson who was laid to rest in the Sandy Ground Cemetery.
