Crime
Murder in Broad Daylight; down town shooting with innocent public meters away
By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, November 21, 2022 – A disturbing trend of deadly threats recklessly endangering innocent residents emerged again this weekend both over social media and in person highlighting behaviour that can only be described as unhinged.
“…there was an incident here where four people have received gunshot wounds. What we believe happened at this stage, is the car has come to the premises, the car wash adjacent to the building behind me and attacked a number of people resulting in the four people being injured,” said Trevor Botting, TCI Police Commissioner in a report from the active investigation scene, also on Saturday November 19.
The Commissioner was earnestly trying to allay fears that the shooting happened at the sporting facility where two inter-high school tournaments were underway. In fact, dozens of schoolchildren from several softball and basketball teams were uncomfortably close to the line of fire when what was supposed to be a fun competition turned into a scene of pure panic.
The Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex was filled with basketballers and parents on the inside and softballers and more supportive fans on the outside. Despite the scene being chock full of children just metres away, gunmen, at a nearby business on Airport Road, opened fire in a careless barrage which injured three adults and killed another.
“At the time of this incident, there was a sports event for young people taking place. The incident was somewhat spilled into, because two of the injured people ran into the sports center which caused some panic. I just want to
reassure the public, that there were police officers on duty at the sports event who quickly got control of the scene and understood what was going on. To be clear, there was no incident at the sports center. Some injured people ran to it, to get away from the persons that were attacking them,” explained Botting in his video.
The games were abruptly ended, out of the abundance of caution said Botting.
It not only exposed the students in the area to what could have been lethal force but exposed some of them to what must have been a highly traumatic scene as armed police swarmed the scene and both men were wheeled away bleeding heavily.
“Supervised by police officers, parents came to pick up their children… I understand it would have caused some panic, I get that they would have heard the gunshots from the location of the shooting but I am grateful to the staff who were managing the event and to the officers, who were at the center who brought calm and safety to the people involved.”
This is the second incident in as many weeks that has occurred at the gym the first saw one teen stab another sending him to the hospital. Among the differences between the two incidents were the security protocols that were quickly implemented this time, locking down those on the inside of the basketball court. Unfortunately the students on the softball field were left exposed and our reports indicate shots were heard uncomfortably close to the bleachers.
The shooting occurred less than 24-hours before the world celebrated World Children’s Day.
The constant murders have once again made international headlines with Fox News reporting that murders are surging just before the winter tourist season begins in earnest describing it as shocking.
A frightful headline for the islands which are so heavily reliant upon tourism.
Meanwhile, over on social media murder threats continued to be hurled at residents who responded to the wanted posters in three languages offering a ten thousand dollar reward for information regarding suspected murderer Brandon Rahming; even an advocate attorney was not spared a bone-chilling threat.
Shocking was the silence by TCI Police on the death threats which were made on their Facebook page. However, the comments from the user, Brandon Lee seemed to have been scrubbed from the posts.
On Friday, Magnetic Media reported that the threats were coming from a Facebook user with the profile name Brandon Lee. Hours later a user with the profile name “Real Shotta Certified” continued the threats this time even more pointed, promising not only murder but a slew of killers.
[SIC] “I’m screenshotting ya name and will ask about you. I think you wanna die. If Brandon goes killers will turn up more watch . It’s like 20 men ready to die ready for war if Brandon goes.”
The user who did not have a profile picture attached told one resident.
The user continued even threatening law enforcement, [SIC] “If Brandon go, watch how many killers pop up in support of him. Lol one of us can handle 10 police by self so figure it out” they said.
So far, despite the $10,000 reward, police have not managed to find the man they describe as a “gang leader”.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, September 29, 2023 – In eight months, nearly 3,000 Haitian people have been slaughtered in their home country due to the upsurge and uprising of gangs in the republic which is struggling to hold its democracy in check.
‘Bwa Kalé’, it’s a vigilante movement that has sprung up in Haiti, and the UN says it is driving up murders.
Born out of fear and distrust in the state according to the UN, the movement is a violent strike back against the gangs that are terrorizing residents.
A recent report following an expert visit detailed it.
“Certain groups have formed allegedly to protect their neighbourhoods from gangs. In some instances, these groups have summarily executed people suspected of being gang members. The Bwa Kalé movement demonstrates the population’s lack of trust in the State, especially in the police and the courts. The expert has learned that some members of the police and the judiciary have been complicit with gangs.”
Despite the obvious fear among residents, the UN is warning them not to take justice into their own hands. However, that is easier said than done as Haitians have demonstrated their feelings of abandonment by fleeing the island in mass numbers on illegal voyages and standing up to the gangs themselves.
In the same report, one said: “The State is absent, there are no police or other officials operating there.”
According to AP, a new report to the U.N. Security Council indicated that 2,728 intentional killings were recorded between October 2022 and June 2023, including 247 women, 58 boys, and 20 girls. Bwa Kalé is blamed partially for the increase, as life in the country is described as unbearable.
#TurksandCaicos, September 19, 2023 – A 26-year-old male has been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment having pleaded guilty to Possession of Ammunition.
Michael Allan Grim Jr. of Paoli Pike Floyds, Indiana was today (September 18th) sentenced. Mr. Grim was arrested on August 01st, 2023, and subsequently charged, after one black magazine, containing 20 rounds of 9mm
ammunition was found in his luggage, whilst at the Providenciales International Airport.
During the investigation, Mr. Grim was interviewed by detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and admitted the ammunition belonged to him.
Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden in a brief statement said: “The laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands regarding the possession of firearms and ammunition is very clear. The laws are clearly defined as to the requirements needed in obtaining permission for possession of firearms and ammunition when traveling to the TCI. The laws apply to everyone and will be enforced.”
Officers of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force investigated the matter.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, September 11, 2023 – The Kew Town Community was the scene of the country’s latest recorded murder according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police which rushed to the community on Saturday September 2nd after yet another shooting.
It was the country’s 14th confirmed homicide and came one week after a married couple was showered with bullets resulting in the death of the husband, Jevanio Williams.
In an update on the killing, police in a brief communication said the victim was shot multiple times.
“Based on preliminary police reports, shortly after 6 p.m., residents reported hearing gunshots.
Calls were placed to the Police Control Room and a team of detectives arrived at the given location in Walter Cox Drive, where they saw a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body lying motionless on the ground.”
The male victim, who has yet to be formally identified, was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical officials.
Detectives continued investigations over the weekend, to establish the events surrounding the murder. The victim is said to have been shot in the head; assassination style.
Police, in revealing some details of the attack also launched an appeal for information in the crime.
“We are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying the deceased male victim who was dressed in a red t-shirt, dark short pants, and dark trainers.
The victim is approximately 35-40 years old, of medium build, and is believed to be of Haitian descent.
The public is being asked to contact 911, the closest police station, or call TCI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and give any information on this murder or any other illegal activity anonymously.”
During last year, the RTCIPF has been working on information gathering to classify which murders are related to gang activity. Sadly, this is another murder where there is no information regarding a motive or the identity of the victim, making categorization of the event near impossible.
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