The family of Souheil Wassouf, a 49-year-old resident of Rodney Heights, Gros Islet, is still in shock following news of Monday’s fatal shooting at Jacmel. “It is unbelievable that a good fellow like him passed away in this manner,” said Isa Hanna, brother-in-law of the deceased, in an interview with the STAR on Thursday.
“The family, his wife, children, sister and his parents who are overseas, are all very shocked,” said Hanna. “We cannot believe we are waiting for the post-mortem results of our brother. This is unbelievable.” Wassouf came to Saint Lucia from Syria in 2000 and established his own clothing store here. Hanna recalled his brother-in-law would drive all over the island to sell his goods. He was doing just that in Jacmel on Monday when he was shot.
A police press release said Wassouf’s body was found outside his vehicle. He is survived by two children: a nine-year-old boy and a girl aged seven. “Until now they don’t understand what’s going on,” said Hanna. “They’re looking at people and asking: ‘Why are they dressed in black?’ His daughter whispered in my ear: ‘I want my Dad’s body, to bury him.’ She went to play afterward. It’s a little hard for them to understand. They’re still expecting their father to bring them toys and drop them off to school. They cannot believe what has happened.”
Hanna went on: “We are from the Orthodox culture and they cry a lot and they dress in black and it’s a very, very bad situation. We’re still busy with the funeral arrangements.” He also said that he heard the police have picked up two individuals for questioning. However, the police refused to comment on the matter when the STAR consulted them.
The February 11 fatal shooting brings to four the number of homicides committed in Saint Lucia since January. Last year the police recorded 42 homicides.
