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The Bloody Truth About Gun Violence in the United States of America

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By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#USA, May 27, 2022 – As bloody massacres of innocents randomly break out across the United States, the debate about the validity of guns in the hands of anyone who is over the age of 18 years old rages.

Stress is high, mental health help is low and there remains a shocking lack of consensus on what to do to stop the bleeding of this nation, which is supposed to be a world leader.

Incredibly and despite the latest horrendous, heartbreaking everyone is trying to come to grips with why an 18 year old man would announce and then gun down 19 children in a fourth grade class there remains a stalemate on what to do about the hundreds of mass shootings across the US.

Not old enough to drink a beer, but old enough to purchase a long gun, Salvador Ramos, used an AR-15 to open fire on anyone in his path; that included two teachers, two law enforcers; his grandmother, whom he reportedly shot in the face and the classroom full of children at Robb Elementary in Uvalde Texas.

The shooting at Robb is number 213 for 2022 for the US.  A little digging, and you unearth a horrifying trove of information about mass shootings in the United States.

I’ve  found that in the United States 8,029 murders were committed by handguns; over 12,000 are attributed to firearms all in the year 2020 with 4,863 of those 12,000 plus homicides due to firearms other than handguns.

The information was published in 2021 by the Statista Research Department of the US.  The Department also captured that the States has the highest rate of civilian owned firearms in the world with a registered gun in nearly 50 percent of all American households.

From the time one is 18, in all states they can own a firearm usually a shot gun, at 21 years old, States like Florida will allow one to apply for a handgun, with a waiting period of about three days if you have no permits and if you fail to meet some other specific criteria including being a law enforcement officer.

The Gun Violence Archive or GVA informs that the United States finished 2021 with 693 mass shootings, the definition of mass shooting being that four or more people were shot and killed in a single incident.

Another source, Education Week, informs 34 of the mass shootings for this year were at schools.  It’s the most on record, since Education Week began collating the data on these mortifying events.

Crime

TCI Police Report a Rape Conviction, Handfield registered as SEX OFFENDER

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Turks and Caicos, February 8, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force acknowledges the sentencing of convicted rapist ELVETHAN “ALVIN” HANDFIELD to life imprisonment following his guilty plea. Handfield was charged with the following offences: Two Counts of RAPE and Two Counts of USING AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON TO CAUSE FEAR.

The Supreme Court delivered the ruling yesterday (February 6), with Handfield, 47, of Glass Shack, Providenciales, being ineligible for parole until he has served 16 years. Should parole be granted, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.

Acting Superintendent Grantley Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, stated: “Following an extensive investigation by our Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Handfield was charged after a report made by a female victim on April 20, 2024. The victim, after entering a jitney driven by Handfield on April 19, 2024, was taken to his residence in Glass Shack, where she was subjected to sexual assault before being released the following day.

“This heinous act of violence, where Handfield posed as a jitney driver, lured, and assaulted the victim while threatening harm, is despicable. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward, demonstrating immense courage in ensuring that this predator is brought to justice.

We recognize this is a difficult journey, and our Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit officers remain available to support the healing process.

We take this opportunity to urge any victims of sexual violence to come forward. Your reports are vital in removing dangerous offenders from our streets and ensuring the safety of our communities. Our commitment to justice remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect and safeguard the communities.”

If you have been a victim or know anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, please get in touch with the police without delay at the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit at 232- 6696 or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at -338-4013.

All calls will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

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Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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Crime

Assault Charge

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 05th, 2025 – A 50-year-old male will appear before the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on February 17, 20225, charged with one count: SEXUAL ASSAULT.

Officers of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit charged STEPHEN LYN following a report of sexual touching by a 13-year-old female victim.

The incident allegedly occurred on September 24, 2024.

Mr. Lyn is currently on $5000. bail.

 

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