Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has commended the police for swiftly apprehending the suspect in the recent stabbing death of former parliamentarian Asot Michael.
During his weekly radio show on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne, speaking before police confirmed the arrest of 26-year-old Alexta Francis, praised the police’s fast response. “Law enforcement must be commended for this quick apprehension of this individual, and we want to thank those in the public space who have provided the intelligence that led to the arrest,” he said.
Francis, taken into custody late Friday evening, is expected to appear in court on Monday. According to police, Michael was found dead in his home last Monday, lying in a pool of blood. Media reports indicate that Francis confessed to the crime and offered police key evidence to support his admission.
Prime Minister Browne expressed his hope that the investigation would continue thoroughly to ensure all responsible parties are brought to justice.
“I’m sure [police are] gonna to explore further to determine whether he had any help or whether any other person participated in this homicide, but I think it’s a very good development from the standpoint that the government would have indicated to law enforcement that we should utilise all resources,” Browne said.
Browne emphasized the importance of pursuing justice in this case and underscored the gravity of a high-profile killing like Michael’s, noting that such incidents have broader implications for the country’s reputation.
“While all lives are equally valuable, the nature of a former parliamentarian’s death in such a manner is particularly unsettling,” Browne said, adding that incidents like this require a focused effort to prevent “unnecessary suspicions” from circulating.
In an official statement, the Antigua Commissioner of Police lauded his officers for their professionalism and thanked the public for their assistance in the investigation.
