13-year-old boy killed two days before birthday

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Service has launched an investigation into the death of 13-year-old Melchizedek Gilbert Tixcy, of Blanchard, De Luso, who died this week from a gunshot wound to the head.

Tixcy, who was said to be sleeping in his bed when the killing occurred, was shot around 11pm on Wednesday.

Police said in a report that officers with the Micoud Police Department received and responded to a report of a fatal shooting on Blanchard in DeRusso.

The victim was identified as Tixcy Blanchard Desruisseaux. He was taken to St. Jude Hospital with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. While being treated, he succumbed to his injuries and a doctor later confirmed his death.

“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) urges anyone with information regarding this homicide to contact the Micoud Police Station at 456-3670. In addition, the Crimeline (555) and the RSLPF Crimeline App are available for anonymous reporting,” the force said in an appeal to the public.

Tixcy’s death sparked widespread outrage on social media.

“He always had a smile on his face. He took me around, showed me around. He was a respectable son,” his father, Antonios Tixcy, who is blind, told The Voice in an interview yesterday.

According to him, Melchizedek’s relatives were shocked by his death.

“Everybody was shocked,” he said, adding that Melchizedek “loved cadets, loved to cook, loved his (family) and played football.”

Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet said in a Facebook post that Tiksi was “senselessly murdered in the comfort of her home, where she should have been celebrating her 14th birthday (Friday).”

“By all accounts, he was a humble, intelligent, respectful, promising young man who did not deserve such a tragic fate. We cannot allow him to simply be recorded as the 49th homicide in 2024. He was a good kid and his life mattered.

Let’s honor Melchizedek by working together to create a safer environment for all of our children and communities. Speak out, support anti-violence initiatives, hold our leaders accountable and make changes. Together, we can make a difference!” said Chastanet.

The day before, he also expressed his condolences to the teenager’s family and friends.