Statement from Mr Trevor Botting, Commissioner of Police

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2022 – “I am addressing you after a period of five days, from Friday 11th March, when the Turks and Caicos Islands experienced an unacceptably high number of serious and violent crimes across Providenciales. This level of violence, perpetrated by young men has left a trail of tragedy across these beautiful islands that is unacceptable in any civilized society.

On Friday 11th March, there were four robberies across four different locations within a period of 90 minutes, the first at 8:14pm in The Village, in Grace Bay where 4 armed men stole from 2 victims. No injuries were caused and no shots were fired. At 8:42pm a female was parked in the area of Glass shack when three men armed with a hand guns demanded cash.

The victim was unhurt and no shots were fired. At 8:43pm there was a robbery at Sunny Foods. It was reported that shots were fired but no one was injured. The offenders made off with cash from the store. The fourth offence took place on Friday 11th March at 9:46pm, when a robbery was reported on Lazy Eight Lane, Venetian Road. 3 victims were approached by armed men and had cash and other property stolen. No shots were fired and there were no injuries. Sunday 13th March, saw the shooting of 2 young men on Providenciales.

Both of these separate attacks are believed to have been targeted on the individuals involved rather than as part of the commission of another offence. Such incidents seem to be motivated by revenge or retribution between groups of young men or even within criminal groups often, over minor disputes. Such acts are ruining young lives on the TCI and have no place in our society.

These young men have to find another way to live their lives rather than through violence and guns. I am appealing to them directly to stop the cycle of violence, a cycle that makes you more likely to die a violent death, a cycle that will ultimately result in spending most of your life in prison and a cycle that is causing death and misery to others.

I am also appealing to those people who are close to these young men, I am asking you to plead with them to stop the violence and take a different path before they too end up being shot and killed in the very cycle of violence they are perpetuating.

The first shooting occurred early in the morning around 8am, a 28-year-old man attended at the hospital with gunshot wounds. It is believed that this incident took place in the Dock Yard area. The victim is currently in a stable condition. Later, during the evening of Sunday at about 8.30 pm, a 27-year-old man attended at hospital with a gunshot wound.   The circumstances in relation to this incident are unclear however, it is believed that this incident was not part of the commission of another offence, it was targeted towards victim himself.

Three murders have tragically occurred over the last 5 days. Three senseless deaths caused by criminals who have no right to have a place in our communities and they must be held accountable and be brought to justice. On Saturday 12th March just after 8am, 911 received a call in relation to a shooting at the dump site, Millennium Highway. Police attended to find that a 48-year-old man had been shot during a robbery where he had cash stolen from him.

The man was taken to hospital where he had emergency surgery. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the medical team the man succumbed to his injuries on Monday 14th March.

Later on Saturday, at about 6pm the Police Control Room received information that a man had been shot at a location behind Mary Jane Lane, Blue Hills. Upon attendance police discovered the body of a man who was declared dead by medical staff having been shot. Whilst the investigators have an open mind to the motive for this murder, it is believed that this man was involved in very serious criminality and his shooting was a targeted attack by a person known to him as an act of revenge or retribution.

The third murder was just last evening. Just after 9pm a man was shot during what was believed to be a robbery in the area known as the Well, just off South Dock Road. The murder last evening was as senseless and barbaric an act as you can imagine; a man who posed no threat to the armed criminals who were seeking to rob and terrorize him shot him for no reason whatsoever, a cold hearted and hideous act of violence. So far in 2022, there have been 4 murders. This is a terrible and tragic start to the year for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

My officers are working tirelessly to investigate these crimes and other officers are undertaking operations, some overt and some covert to identify the offenders and bring them into custody. In the last few days, our operations have led to the seizure of firearms and other evidence that we believe are connected to serious and violent crimes.

We know that you, our communities are fearful but I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to take these criminals off the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As always, we need your help, if you know anything, no matter how small tell us. Alternatively, you can call Crime Stoppers, you won’t need to leave your name and we won’t know who called but we will get the information you leave.

We also are in the middle of a gun amnesty.

You may be financially compensated for handing over a gun. Work with us to get these criminals and their guns off the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands. They do not belong in our communities. Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with the families, loved ones and friends of those who have died in the recent attacks and those who have been injured.

Make no mistake, as a Force we feel the weight of the responsibility to keep our communities safe and we are under pressure, but we remain focused, steadfast and committed in hunting down the criminals who are causing so much misery to our communities.

Thank you, and my God bless you and these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.