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British man shot dead at bar in St Lucia by masked gunmen

Donnie McKinnon was a citizen of St Lucia and a well-known community activist - Facebook
Donnie McKinnon was a citizen of St Lucia and a well-known community activist - Facebook

A British estate manager has been shot dead and his photographer friend left injured after masked gunmen opened fire at a bar in St Lucia, where both men lived.

Donnie McKinnon was killed in the attack in the town of Soufriere on Saturday afternoon. His friend Peter Jackson, a 72-year-old photographer from Accrington, was injured.

According to a local source, the victims were on the balcony of Steve’s Bar on Market Road when the masked gunmen approached and fired shots.

Mr McKinnon, who is Scottish, was the manager of the Soufriere Estate on the island, a 2,000-acre former working plantation.

Mr Jackson, from Lancashire, who has been living on the Caribbean island for over 30 years, was injured in the alleged attack and taken to St Jude Hospital.

Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson

He is a well-known community activist and former director of the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation.

Both men are citizens of the island, with one person telling St Lucia Times: “Everyone knew them. They were community people. This is sad.”

St Lucia, which has a population of less than 200,000, has recorded 67 homicides this year.

The British Foreign Office said it was aware of the reports and has requested more information. A spokesman said: “We are urgently seeking more information from the government in St Lucia about an incident which took place yesterday.”

The local council meanwhile acknowledged a shooting had taken place with a spokesman saying: “The authorities are investigating a shooting incident which took place in Soufriere on Saturday afternoon which left one man dead and another nursing injuries at the hospital.”

The scene of the attack in Saint Lucia. Local police are investigating
The scene of the attack in Saint Lucia. Local police are investigating

Local police confirmed they were called to the scene of the attack and that they were continuing to investigate.

“We are looking into this shooting which we were called to during the course of today,” a spokesman said.

“We are speaking to people who were present and may have seen something.

“We will leave no stone unturned as we investigate this fully. We will be releasing a statement shortly.”

Mr McKinnon was the general manager at Marcliffe Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen between 2007 and 2009.