Rihanna has made a heartfelt plea for an end to gun violence after her cousin was shot dead in Barbados hours after they had spent Christmas Day together.

Tavon Kaiseen Alleyne, 21, was shot several times as he walked along a track in the St Michael's area of the Caribbean island at 7pm on Tuesday. The killer fled the scene

Mr Alleyne was rushed to a Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, where he died of his injuries.

He became the latest victim of a surge in gun-related crimes on the island. Earlier this month Barbados police said there had been 28 murders in 2017, of which 22 involved guns. Last year there were 16 gun-related murders.

Rihanna, one of the best-selling pop starts of all time, paid an emotional tribute to her cousin on her Instagram account which has 59 million followers.

"RIP cousin ... can't believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms!" the eight-time Grammy award winner wrote.