Deandrea Hamilton and Wilkie Arthur

Turks and Caicos, December 11, 2024 – A popular contractor, an illegal Haitian man and a young father and boat captain are all dead in a string of murders spanning three days and three communities; Friday in Five Cays, Sunday in the Bight and Monday in Blue Hills/Wheeland.

It remains unknown if the homicides are connected.

Police have confirmed the investigations into the murders of three men which takes the country’s already record-breaking year for murders, to an unimaginable 46 for the year 2024.

Eagle Legal News Media informs that Neal Rigby, who was shot to death on Saturday December 7 was brutally slaughtered.

“He was shot in his head, more than once, just about four feet away from his apartment unit door, according to persons living close by. Persons said there were no more than four or five shots heard in the area, and they heard someone running away from the scene.”

The residents speaking anonymously to Wilkie Arthur shared that, “no one saw a face.”

Arthur, owner of Eagle Legal added that he believes the residents speaking to him deliberately remained aloof; not wanting to witness who could be behind the December 6 shooting in an area called, Sandy Land in Five Cays.

“Initial reports indicate that shortly after 10 pm yesterday (December 6), the Police Control Room received several calls stating that gunshots were being heard in the area of Sandy Land.  RT&CIPF officers responded to the given location and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body,” informed the police statement.

Now the police are asking for help.

“NEAL RIGBY is believed to be in his fifties and was a well-known contractor. He was very gifted in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and the list goes on,” reported Arthur, who added that residents told him, “He was so helpful to the elderly in the community and a very respectful man.”

Rigby was 52 years old, confirmed TCI Police.

By midnight Sunday, a new murder investigation would be opened.

The 45th murder for the year was a man believed to be illegally residing in the Turks and Caicos.  No official identity could be obtained by publication time, but Eagle Legal News Media was able to learn that the man was from Haiti.

“Eagle Legal News is now in possession of a photo shared with us of the Haitian man killed in The Bight, yesterday on Sunday 8th December 2024.  Reports reaching our newsroom are that he used to go by the name Elephant.”

Police confirmed that they found the body of a man around 1 am on Sunday December 8, 2024.

“We have yet to receive any positive reports of his lifestyle here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and from his homeland of Haiti. Residents who knew him well said he had been living here in TCI for many years and never sought to get himself straight,” said Arthur.

Both murders preceded a press conference which had been planned for Monday (December 9) afternoon by acting Police Commissioner, Fitz Bailey.

That media event has now been postponed indefinitely.

On Tuesday, residents learned of another shooting which resulted in the death of a young man in an area known as Dako Yard, said to be part of Blue Hills and Wheeland in the northwest of Providenciales.

Eagle Legal News Media was on site as investigators scoured the near pitch black area for evidence; the man may have been dead for several hours before being discovered as police confirmed reports from residents of gunshots around 7 pm.

That report was checked out but the body of the man – possibly hit in the hail of bullets – was discovered not until after 10pm.

Apparently murdered was a Turks and Caicos Islander, GERARDSON JOSEPH, also known as “Dave” was just 24 years old.

“He was a qualified boat captain. He worked with a number of tour boat companies and in watersports.  Tourists who visited our shores loved and embraced him for his warm smiles and charm.”

Arthur also informed his audiences, “Life became a bit rough for him over the past few summer months with no boat trips, no income, as there was no employment throughout the summer. He was on a quest for new employment as things just started to pick up in recent weeks.”

Joseph was loved by his parents, his girlfriend and their toddler, believed to be 3 or 4 years old.

“Despite his recent pleasant ongoing life, although it came with some struggles and ups and downs, it was said he had a dark past that he had put down for his new life.”

No motive has been revealed in this killing either, but it was explained that ‘Dave’ was shot multiple times in yet another vicious attack.

“…all in his head, side of his face and back.”

There have been no arrests in these matters.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

December 11, 2024 – A misleading story carried by several US news organisations demanded a firm response by both The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands governments, when news reports cited these countries as among those on a list of possible deportation centers being wooed by the in-coming Trump Administration.

It seemed a mischievous attempt to gaslight these smaller nations about the newly elected president and his popular campaign promise to send illegal migrants home, in massive numbers.

Soon, it would be explained that there was no call or direct offer to these governments by the Trump Administration team and, more significantly, no interest by either country to welcome in U.S. deportees.  Still both the prime minister of The Bahamas and the Immigration and Border Services minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands immediately issued firm statements rejecting the idea.

“The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands categorically states that we will not, under any circumstances, accept deportees from the United States or any other nation who are not citizens of Turks and Caicos. Our country’s immigration policies are clear and firmly rooted in the principles of sovereignty, the protection of our borders, and the welfare of our people,” said Arlington Musgrove, TCI Minister of Immigration and Border Services.

There was a similar reaction from The Bahamas; the Office of the Prime Minister informed also there has been no push from the US regarding the request.

“This matter was presented to the Government of The Bahamas but was reviewed and firmly rejected by the Prime Minister.

The Bahamas simply does not have the resources to accommodate such a request. The Prime Minister priorities remain focused on addressing the concerns of The Bahamian people,” said the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Bahamas in a follow up statement gave some history and offered insight on the origin of the proposal, which dates back to the Summit of the Americas staged in Los Angeles two years ago.

“In June of 2022, Prime Minister Philip Davis attended the Summit of the Americas, where regional migration was one of the items on the agenda.

During the Summit, countries were asked to sign a declaration on migration, which included language suggesting that countries support and host undocumented migrants.

The Bahamas did not sign this declaration, although 20 countries in the region did.

The Prime Minister made it clear to President Biden that our country will not bear this burden. We need to devote Bahamian resources to solving Bahamian problems.”

Both The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands have added to their initial statements, confirming that no one from president-elect Donald Trump’s office had been in communication on the touted plan.

“To be clear, our office responded to the proposal as characterized by the press, rather than any formal proposal made to us by President-elect Trump’s transition team, with whom we have not discussed the matter,” published The Bahamas.

More accurately, there was a news report carried by the BBC which exposed Panama’s experience in this U.S. procedure, which deports illegal migrants to the country where they entered the United States, despite their nationalities.

The BBC news story said: “The Biden administration said it had agreed to pay for the flights as part of its efforts to deter irregular migration.

A group of 29 Colombians with criminal records were the first to be returned on Tuesday.

Under an agreement jointly signed by the Panamanian foreign minister and US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the US has committed to helping Panama with $6m (£4.6m) for equipment, transportation and logistics to “remove foreign nationals who do not have a legal basis to remain in Panama”.

In the case of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands, many from these two Small Island Developing States were stunned at the audacity and ramifications of such a plan.

“We are deeply concerned about any suggestion of displacing individuals to countries with which they have no connection. Such policies disregard the cultural, social, and economic implications for receiving countries and the humanitarian impact on the individuals affected.

We remind all stakeholders that Turks and Caicos is already facing significant challenges managing irregular migration and the accompanying strain on our resources. We will not permit external policies to exacerbate these challenges, nor undermine or dictate our national security,” said Minister Musgrove.

One attorney, speaking on a Nassau television show explained that based on current U.S. law, The Bahamas must now do a better job of scrutinising who is allowed into the country, ensuring that these islands are not used as a transit for immigrants who are targetting the United States as their final destination.

Panama’s new president, in a bid to uphold his presidential promise to voters, agreed to end his country being used as a crossing point for Haitians, Venezuelans and Colombians moving from South America into North America.

The BBC said: “Mr Mulino campaigned on a promise to “close” the Darién Gap, the dangerous stretch of jungle which more than half a million migrants crossed last year on their way north from South America.

The Biden administration said it had agreed to pay for the flights as part of its efforts to deter irregular migration.”

It is well known that Haitians, fleeing their poverty stricken island are sometimes successful in making landfall, illegally, in the United States after travelling through the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas.

If The Bahamas is not careful, it “…could end up being forced to take these immigrants in.”

The Turks and Caicos could heed the same warning.

Statistically though, the number of those departing the neighbouring archipelagos to reside illegally in the U.S. is miniscule, however, it would be well within bounds for ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) to deport undocumented individuals back to the country of departure.

Thankfully, most illegal migrants opt to be repatriated to their home country.

It is estimated there are over 11 million undocumented migrants currently in the United States. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has vowed to start with illegal migrants who are convicted criminals.

PUBLIC ADVISORY

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES

Turks and Caicos – The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to remind the public to be vigilant during this influenza season. Seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as September, however, most of the flu activity often peaks between December and February.  This is also the most favourable season for other respiratory infectious diseases including COVID19.

Worldwide, respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID19 result in an estimated 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths, particularly among high-risk groups including the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, health workers and those with serious medical conditions. Influenza (flu) and COVID19 are caused by contagious viruses resulting in respiratory illnesses with the following signs and symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headache
• Loss of taste
• Loss of smell

The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to keeping the Turks and Caicos Islands population healthy, and persons are advised to visit the Primary Health Care clinics within their respective communities to receive the influenza and the COVID19 vaccine which are offered free of charge.

The COVID19 vaccine is bivalent which offers protection from the original strain of the SARS-CoV2 and the Omicron variant. It also triggers a response to newer subvariants of the omicron variant.  The bivalent vaccine is available for those over the age of 18 years as a booster. Those aged 16 and 17 years can receive the Pfizer vaccine as the booster.  Boosters are needed to boost immunity if persons have received the vaccine more than 3 months previously as immunity is known to wane with time.

In addition to having the vaccines, the Ministry of Health and Human Services would like to recommend the following health tips which can help to prevent the spread of the infection:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or long enough to sing the birthday song twice.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth (germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth).
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too, particularly those who are in the vulnerable group.
• If you or your child is sick with the flu or flu-like symptoms, stay home from work, school and daycare.  You will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, manage your stress and be physically active.
• Everyday preventive actions can help slow the spread of germs that can cause many different illnesses and may offer some protection against the flu.

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Get your Flu shot today!!!

For more information, contact your health care provider or the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit on 338-2772 or 338-4942.  For information on the vaccine contact the Primary Health Care Department on 338-5469. Please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.