A man convicted of killing the cousin of Barbados’ national hero and international pop star Rihanna has been sentenced to nearly four decades in prison, with the High Court underscoring the need for tough penalties to curb gun violence.
Shawayne Deshawn Williams was sentenced to 38 years and 138 days in prison on Friday after a jury earlier this year found him guilty of the murder of Tavon Alleyne. Alleyne, 21, was shot and killed near his home on Boxing Day in 2017. Williams has maintained his innocence.
Delivering the sentence, High Court judge Laurie-Anne Smith-Bovell said the judiciary must play a key role in protecting the public and deterring gun-related crime.
“Public concern about illegal firearms and violence and the need for general deterrence must be reflected in the sentences passed by the courts,” the judge said, citing Director of Public Prosecutions Reference No of 2003. “The public are entitled to expect the courts to play their part in fighting the proliferation of firearms and violence.”
The court heard that Alleyne was shot multiple times around 7:00 p.m. on December 26, 2017, shortly after exiting a taxi. An eyewitness identified Williams as the man seen fleeing the scene, while another placed him in the vicinity before and after the shooting.
Justice Smith-Bovell pointed to several aggravating factors, including premeditation, the use of an unrecovered firearm, and the fact that the unarmed victim was ambushed in a public space. The court also determined that the killing was an act of revenge linked to a prior shooting involving Williams.
A starting sentence of 39 years was set, with additional time added due to Williams’ criminal history and risk of reoffending, before deductions were made for time spent on remand and procedural delays.
Williams was also ordered to participate in rehabilitation programs, including academic, vocational, and psychological support, during his incarceration at Dodds Prison.
Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale, SC, had argued that the severity of the case warranted a sentence of between 43 and 45 years.
