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Mar 08, 2016 News784,  iWitness, AP 

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Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Martin Griff, a 49-year-old Accountant of Germany, which occured in St.Vincent and the Grenadines last  Friday.

According to reports the deceased was on-board a yacht when he was attacked by unknown assailants. He sustained a gunshot wound to his throat and succumbed to the injuries.

A postmortem examination is expected to be perform on the body.

Police is also carrying out investigations into the attempted murder on Reinhold Zeller, a 63-year-old Sea Captain of Germany, which also occurred at Walliabou on Friday.

Mr. Zeller sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder after he was attacked on-board a yacht by unknown assailants.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has condemned the shooting death of a German tourist.

Speaking on a Radio Program on Friday, the Prime Minister expressed profound sympathy to the other persons who were on board the yacht as well as the families of the victims.

He said the Government was making travel arrangements with SVG Air to airlift the passengers on board the yacht.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said he is saddened by this incident, noting that it is a very terrible stain on St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The attack took place early Friday morning March 4th at a sheltered cove that was part of the set for the Pirate of the Caribbean film that is a popular anchorage for yachts.

 

 

Gonsalves said that one of the occupants of the yacht who spoke English told him that the captain had been here “10 times before and had assured them that this is a peaceful place — could hardly find somewhere more peaceful.

 

“And then this incident has happened, which has shattered our sense of peace and tranquility,” Gonsalves said, adding that those on board the yacht had praised the Coast Guard, which arrived within 20 minutes of being called.

 

“But the Coast Guard can’t be at every single spot all of the time. We, obviously, and I have spoken to the Commissioner (of Police), have to strengthen certain security arrangements which we have in place in certain areas and to extend even further in other areas, which means additional costs for us — for the government.

 

“And this is what happens. We do all these terrific things to bring the tourists here to help create jobs and then we have individual criminals who behave in this kind of a manner as we have had at Wallilabou.”
Gonsalves said he will be writing a letter to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to express sorrow to her government about the incident.