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.

#TurksandCaicos, September 2, 2023 – At approximately 10:10 pm on Tuesday, 29th August 2022, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Maritime Operations personnel onboard one of its maritime vessels contacted the 911 Police Control room and reported that they were in pursuit of what appeared to be a large wooden illegal vessel (sloop) carrying an estimated 200 people, making its way to the general area of North West Point, Providenciales.

The sloop failed to comply with instructions given by the Police and continued to make its way to shallow waters. The Police vessel was unable to get any closer in such shallow water. The migrant vessel ran aground, and its passengers began jumping into the water and ran to the shore.

It is believed the migrants landed somewhere between the Chrystal Bay and Malcolm Bay areas. Officers from the Maritime Operations immediately commenced rescue efforts in the surrounding waters, and one male and a small child were safely removed from the vessel. It is believed all the remaining migrants made it to land.

The time of the incident prohibited the responding agencies from conducting further searches however, coordinated search efforts led by the RTCIPF and supported by other agencies, resumed on Wednesday, 30th August with various resources deployed at strategic areas in an effort to locate and detain as many irregular migrants as possible.

This remains an ongoing multi-agency operation.

Thus far, a number of illegal migrants, including children have been located and detained.

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, September 2, 2023 – Jevanio Williams was ‘loving his life’ in the Turks and Caicos Islands by all appearances; he was often photographed with family and friends, especially his wife Ayesha.  They were the brains and brawn behind G&A Juicy Juicy Burgers.  It’s how this editor first met the couple; a casual invite to come down to Sapodilla Beach to enjoy “the best burgers in Provo.”

On Wednesday August 23, 2023 that was shattered; the couple were pelted with gunshots while sitting in their truck. Rushed to hospital, they were both in really bad shape according to reports reaching our newsroom and said to have been fighting for their lives.

On Friday August 25, Jevanio Williams lost that fight – his loved ones now in deep mourning over his murder. Ayesha’s condition, say Police is stable.

After days of silence, on Sunday August 27, Royal TCI Police issued this statement:

“Following a shooting incident that occurred at about 8.10pm on Wednesday 23 August, 2023 a man and his wife sustained gunshot injuries in the vicinity of Sam Wilson’s yard, off Walter Cox Drive Kew Town.

Both victims were taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where they received emergency medical care. Subsequently, both victims

were airlifted overseas for specialized medical treatment.

Despite all efforts, one of the victims, 43 year old Jevanio Williams succumbed to his injuries on Friday 25th August whilst receiving medical treatment overseas.

His wife, 46 year old Ayesha Clarke, is still receiving medical treatment but is in stable condition.

This is an active murder investigation and detectives of the Serious Crime Unit are pursuing all leads and gathering evidence to identify and apprehend those responsible for this senseless act of violence.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information that could assist this investigation to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and submit your information anonymously.”

The killing of Williams marks the 13^th murder for the Turks and Caicos this year.