News
Targeted Attack; Three Shot, Two Dead
Deandrea Hamilton, Dana Malcolm and Wilkie Arthur
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, October 23, 2023 – The double homicide of Thursday afternoon was a “targeted” incident, according to the national security leaders of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Daleeni Daniel-Selveratnam, TCI Governor and Rodney Adams, Acting Police Commissioner. The distinction of the bold daytime shooting is crucial because it was yet another spray of gunfire erupting in a highly trafficked area for residents and tourists.
In a Friday (October 20) joint statement Daniel-Selveratnam and Adams confirmed that it was Jumilla Isma, 24 and Mike Forbes, 19 who were gunned down in a vehicle as they approached the Providenciales International Airport terminal around 5:52pm.
“Based on our preliminary investigation, this was a targeted incident,” said Rodney Adams.
The scene, once news broke of the shooting, was crowded with police vehicles, heavily armed officers and residents who had come to see if what they were hearing was true.
It was a grizzly sight. Bodies, blood, car doors of a silver coloured Honda Fit were flung open and early reports that there were two dead, at least one other man injured.
Bone-chilling shrills and screams in the distance could be heard from loved ones. One woman, described as Jumilla’s sisters was speaking to their mother on cell phone, delivering news of the young man’s death.
“…Jim on the ground Mummy. (loud sobbing) Mummy dat’s Jim!!!! (woman pacing) Mummy, Jim DEAD!!!”
It was clearly an ambush and many speaking off-the-record to Magnetic Media informed, young Jumilla Isma was a wanted man. Not by TCI Police, but by others who had vowed payback for crimes allegedly committed by the 24-year-old; heartless crimes, which they believed, he had managed to outrun even in the courtroom.
A widely circulated and suspicious cell phone video showed an unsuspecting Isma earlier on Thursday leaving the airport terminal area wearing a blue shirt, dark pants and his long dreadlocks wrapped; he had just checked-in for a British Airways flight, our news organization was informed; that flight is scheduled for a 6:43 p.m. departure from the PLS.
It is unknown who was filming the man’s movements and why he left the airport, but Jumilla Isma upon return to board that plane, would face a fatal interception. Yards away from the spot where he was last caught on camera alive and well, he would die. There was a mixture of reactions; tremendous grief for loved ones and unbridled joy for
Again, captured on cell phone, was a sizeable crowd of undistinguishable people and voices clearly celebrating as they filmed the loud cheering and the British Airways plane in the evening sky, departing Providenciales without Isma as a passenger. Most of the shouts were in Creole.
But the Governor is incensed by the brazen action.
“I am appalled at the nature of yesterday’s fatal incident. Such disregard for human life causes irreparable damage and consequential impact to the safety and security of our islands. I want to reassure the public of the multi-agency enforcement efforts to protect and secure our communities. I urge anyone with information to contact the police to assist their investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said the Governor.
The fatal shooting, so near the airport also created a disruptive detour and a frightening situation for those working there.
Magnetic Media observed tourists and residents being denied entry to the airport, as the only way to the terminal meant a drive through the crime scene. We are told it resulted in travellers either missing flights or being delayed.
Workers at the PLS were also shaken, many abandoned their work stations and hid out once they heard the barrage of bullets.
DCP Rodney Adams, Acting TCI Police Commissioner who was captured in cell phone video at the airport after the shooting of the three men, in the statement issued on Friday said he wants video of the crime if you have it. Reach out to the SCU or the Serious Crime Unit at 649-232-8752.
“The Force is taking every action including deploying all required resources to bring those responsible to justice. Additional patrols are in place to ensure safety and security across all communities of the TCI. I wish to give residents and visitors the reassurance that their safety is our number one priority.” 
One man, who is unnamed, survived the attack.
Again, cell phone video of that man captured him kneeled down in the arrivals terminal of the Provo airport; the man was distressed and clearly under the watch by members of the Police Force. His short pants were stained with blood, so was his right arm. He held his shoulder with what looked to be his shirt, which he was no longer wearing. The man was able to walk, appeared to be barely lucid, perhaps in shock; those at the airport speaking to us under the promise of anonymity said he ran to the airport, away from ambush.
The man was injured in the attack however and detained at hospital and it is likely his detainment that has caused the suspension of visitation at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center, which is also now guarded by armed police.
More comments of grave concern about the boldness of the crime came on Friday including from Washington Misick, Turks and Caicos Premier and the Opposition, People’s Democratic Movement.