Perspectives and Complexity in the status of homicides attributed to gangs in the English Speaking Caribbean

• In Event: Advancing the Eurogang Program of Research: Perspectives on Gang Membership, Violence, and Justice System Involvement

Abstract

This paper is the result of an examination of the current state of knowledge on homicides attributed to gangs and their members in the English Speaking Caribbean. It joins similar efforts done for regions such as the United States of America, which sought to provide a wider geographical understanding of what is known about the theories, characteristics, origins of these types of homicides and approaches to addressing them. In this paper, the findings and discussion about the English Speaking Caribbean situation with homicides attributed to gangs and their members is informed by a review of literature on homicides assigned to gangs and their members in the English Speaking Caribbean along with semi-structured interviews with those researching and documenting this type of homicide in the region. The review suggest that the homicides and gangs association has had a lack of clarity due to varying definitions in the region. The review also showed a different trajectory in community level characteristics to be concerned with at least in one country, when homicides are attributed to gang activity. Similarly to the efforts of Sanchez, Decker and Pyrooz 2021 in their review , the paper suggests how the study of this type of homicide should move forward in the English Speaking Caribbean.

Author

• Tarik Weekes, The University of the West Indies