MP Knowles reveals, Youth fear more people will be killed in gun violence

#TurksandCaicos, June 16, 2021 – Years old school yard feuds and new found gang affiliations are fueling the heartbreaking trend of murders in Turks and Caicos,. young men are being gunned down in these retaliatory and territory wars at an unprecedented rate for small TCI. 

Hon Kyle Knowles, the Member of Parliament for Wheeland District during his two minute presentation in the House of Assembly on Thursday (June 10) made the reveal and  said in speaking directly to young men, he is informed that they are not only tired of the violence but afraid that more people will be killed. 

Knowles is now calling for communication and action to be ramped up, saying it must not be forgotten that there are youth who are driven with good desires. 

“…to get the best education, become the best athlete or becoming the most successful entrepreneur.” 

Knowles cautioned for government and community leaders need to stop preaching to the choir, find the vulnerable, invest in the most impressionable demographic or else continue to “miss the mark.”

The MP said identifying the root causes of the problems and gaining trust through mentorship programs using the various agencies is critical. 

He wants to see options offered to the youth to advance them, “to save them.”