Crime
October begins with murders, wild car chase and teenagers caught in gun violence
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, October 6, 2022 – A new month has come with little change for the residents of the Turks and Caicos as October, like September, began with a weekend of violent crime.
A public shootout in Long Bay on Sunday afternoon between police and criminals resulted in several injuries including that of a police officer and at least two bystanders. Videos of the event show one man prone in the road, bleeding profusely after obviously having been shot and another bleeding from the face in a supermarket as residents try to offer assistance in both cases.
The shocking incident is even more proof that the criminals that have taken up residence in the Turks and Caicos Islands are ruthless, uncaring of whether their violence spills over onto innocent people.
Later, the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands would confirm, three people died on Sunday October 3; one a guest at the Ritz Carlton resort, visiting Turks and Caicos from Virginia.
Several conflicting reports have emerged from the Cheshire Hall Medical Center regarding violent events that might have taken place there. The police have not confirmed anything but the hospital was under heavy police guard last night.
Less than 24-hours before the incident a 14-year-old child was arrested by police for allegedly being in possession of ammunition at a youth sporting event. Whether the incident was as a result of idle curiosity an attempt at intimidation or one of countless other probabilities one thing is for sure our teenagers are being exposed to violence much too early.
It was also reported in local media that a second 14-year-old was shot at the same event.
As if that weren’t enough, two men were shot in separate incidents on Friday night; one was killed, the other fighting for his life in hospital.
Police say around 8 p.m. on Friday, multiple residents reported hearing gunshots in School Hill, Five Cays where on arrival, members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police found the body of a young man with gunshot wounds marking the 23rd murder victim this year.
Less than 30 minutes later, a man was dropped off at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center after being shot in the chest.
While they say they believe the first shooting was targeted the police have admitted that they are not sure about the circumstances surrounding the man in hospital who is in critical condition.
By Sunday morning, three more men had been arrested for gun possession after a car chase along Millennium Highway.
A police report informed that about 1 a.m. on Sunday, officers on patrol saw a white vehicle and indicated it should stop. When the men inside refused, a chase ensued and the white car crashed into a ditch trying in an attempt to evade police.
Police say one tried to run, leaving his compatriots behind and the two other occupants were trapped in the vehicle. Video evidence of the incident shows the car badly damaged, resting in bushes as those on scene freed the occupants from the car.
After rescuing the men and providing first aid, during a search a gun was discovered in the vehicle along with ammunition.
All three men were summarily held and arrested.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – In response to a deadly surge in gun violence, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey on
Monday morning formally briefed the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick and Her Excellency Acting Governor Anya Williams on two recent murders and the broader security crisis engulfing the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The high-level debrief followed a harrowing week which reports indicate brought the murder count for 2025 to 15 people, including what was described as mass shooting where as many as four men were struck with bullets. The Commissioner provided an update on the nature of the week of homicides, the current status of investigations, and the coordinated response measures being implemented by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF).
Both the Premier and Acting Governor pledged full support to the Commissioner and the RTCIPF, as the country grapples with a level of violence that has deeply shaken residents and visitors alike.
“The Government remains deeply committed to strengthening public safety and enhancing the resources available to law enforcement,” read a statement issued following the briefing.
As part of this commitment, 40 specially trained officers from across the region have recently completed orientation with the RTCIPF and
are now operational. These reinforcements are expected to support ongoing investigations and bolster the national policing strategy.
Among the recent incidents:
- A young man was shot and killed in Five Cays on Saturday (May 24) afternoon. Police reported receiving a call around 2:58 p.m. about gunfire near a local religious institution. Officers arrived to find a male victim lying motionless with apparent gunshot wounds. His death is being treated as a suspected homicide.
- One of four men shot earlier in the week in Kew Town succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll from that mass shooting.
As investigations continue, the RTCIPF is urgently appealing to the public for any information that might assist. Witnesses or anyone with
relevant knowledge are encouraged to report to the nearest police station, dial 911, contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.
Commissioner Bailey, who was confirmed as the Turks and Caicos Police Commissioner in a ceremony on Friday April 25, has vowed that the RTCIPF will not relent in its pursuit of justice and community safety. Public concern has been growing as the scale and brazenness of violent incidents increase. Community leaders and residents are demanding a stronger and more visible police presence in hotspots, as well as urgent interventions to address the root causes of gun violence.
The police force has pledged to issue further updates on investigations and arrests in the coming days.
Photo Captions:
1st insert: ROBERTO YACINTHE, age 33 was shot on Saturday (May 25) in the Blue Hills community. He was an employee of the Alexandra Resort.
2nd insert: Crime scene in Five Cays
3rd insert: Flex Baptiste, 32 died on Friday. He was shot on Wednesday.
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