The following is a statement by the Saint Lucia Banker’s Association on the shooting death of Bank of Saint Lucia employee Andrew Baptiste:
“It is with shock and profound sadness that the Saint Lucia Bankers Association has received the news of the murder of Andrew Baptiste, on the evening of January 05.
“A career Banker, Andrew Baptiste has worked in the Banking sector for over thirty years, first with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), later with FirstCaribbean International Bank, and subsequently with the Bank Of Saint Lucia (BOSL) where he served at management level for the past four years.
“A Past President of the Kiwanis Club, Mr Baptiste was committed to the values of service both in the arena of his lifelong profession and at the community level. Typically soft-spoken, affable and given to humour, his peers recall his strong sense of professionalism and dedication to his clients.
“The suddenness and violent circumstances surrounding his demise has placed a shroud of sadness and extreme concern over the banking community, as his colleagues and sector peers join his family in the search for answers.
“The Bankers Association extends sincere condolences to his immediate and extended family and stand in solidarity with the staff of the Bank of Saint Lucia.
“Further, the Saint Lucia Bankers Association calls on Law Enforcement and the Penal system to spare no effort in bringing to justice, those who are responsible for these reckless and evil acts which are seriously demoralizing to Saint Lucia’s workforce and which portend dire consequences for the personal safety of our citizens and the name and reputation of the country.”