Last Updated on April 29, 2026, 6:52 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Barbados: The Court sentenced a man for the murder of 21 years old Tavon Alleyne, cousin of international Pop Artist Rihanna. The man was sentenced to 38 years and 138 days in Dodds Prison. The sentence was delivered on 24 April 2026.
The suspect, Shawayne Deshawn Williams was found guilty in the court earlier this year on 15 January 2026 for the murder of Alleyne. During the court hearing it was established that around 7:00 pm on December 26, 2017 the culprit shot Alleyne multiple times just after he got out of a taxi near his Eden Lodge, St Michael Home on Boxing Day.
When the victim was fleeing from the crime scene an eyewitness saw the culprit and one more witness saw the culprit in the area shortly before and after the shooting.
Justice Laurie-Anne Smith Bovell mentioned that courts play a major role in delivering justice, protecting the public and deterring the use of illegal firearms. “Public concern about illegal firearms and violence and the need for general deterrence must be reflected in the sentences passed by the courts.” she said.
The Judge made this observation 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”.
Justice Smith-Bovell also outlined some important factors related to the crime she stated it was not just random, Williams was carrying the gun which showcased it was preplanned. She further explained that during the attack the victim was unarmed and the incident happened at a public area, which in turn is dangerous for the taxi driver.
Moreover, the court found that the killing was an act of revenge related to a prior shooting in which Williams had been shot and injured before Alleyne’s death. The judge sentenced Williams to 39 years and further added time due to his previous criminal records. The Court also deduct some time of his sentence according to the time he spent during the remand and delays in the proceedings.
The court deducted six months which he spent in the remand during and 774 days due to the proceedings process and ordered Williams to participate in rehabilitation programs including vocational, academic, and psychological support, during his incarceration at Dodds Prison.
The case was prosecuted by the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC and State Counsel Paul Prescod and Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell represented Williams in the court.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
