Authorities in the eastern Caribbean island of Trinidad said on Tuesday that they were investigating the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old British citizen who was an up-and-coming cricket player.
Police said they are questioning a 24-year-old man detained in the killing of Adrian St John. They said St John was leaving a relative’s home near the capital of Port-of-Spain on Sunday night when two armed men approached them. Police said the suspects stole their money and cellphones and told St John to drive away. Officials said one of the suspects then shot at the car and hit St John in the back of his head.
Family members said St John was born in Britain, moved to Trinidad as an infant and returned to Britain when he was 7 years old. Relatives said he was scheduled to return to Britain this week and planned to move to Trinidad permanently in January.
St John was known as “AJ” and was captain of the Chris Gayle Academy in London. Officials said he graduated in history and philosophy at Hertfordshire University and was one of the first members of the academy, which helps at-risk youth obtain better education, training and employment. St John formed part of the UK squad that traveled to Jamaica when officials launched another academy there in 2013.
AJ developed into a very promising cricketer playing at various club sides in Surrey. He will be deeply missed. AJ had such a positive effect on others around him. With that infectious positive energy, he had the ability to make people laugh and smile at will.The Academy said in a Statement
St John also played for the Alleyn Cricket Club between 2009 and 2014, according to the Surrey Country Cricket Club.
He was clearly a talented cricketer and a very popular guy and everyone at the club was shocked and saddened when we heard this news.Paul Taylor, Head of the Surrey Cricket Foundation
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)