On Thursday, August 5, 2021, during a protest concerning amendments to the island’s Public Health Act, which would make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for frontline workers, Dr Gonsalves was struck with a stone just above his temple allegedly by an opposition protester, as he made his way back to parliament.

He was taken to the island’s main hospital and then flown to Barbados for an MRI or head scan later on Thursday night.

On Thursday, August 5, 2021, during a protest concerning amendments to the island’s Public Health Act, which would make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for frontline workers, Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves was struck with a stone just above his temple allegedly by an opposition protester, as he made his way back to parliament.

Woman arrested

According to News784, who described the incident as an attempted assassination, as the parliament continued debate, Government Senator Julian Francis said a woman was arrested on Thursday night.

“I want to say a woman has been arrested; there may be more. She wanted to apologise to the Prime Minister. I said no, she is not going in front of my political leader to do what; because you got locked up, you want to apologise,” Francis stated.

“Go and apologise to the leader of the Opposition. Let me tell you something, be careful what you do; social media is watching you, sometimes, it’s better than the police”, Francis said.

The investigation into the assault and attempted assassination on the islands Prime Minister continues.