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Crime

Unlocking Perspectives: Serious Tourist Incidents unveiled in TCI

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Possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition are considered one of the most egregious crimes in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Therefore, as a deterrent, word of harsh sentence add-ons should spread quickly to would-be criminals and make one think twice before arming themselves with an illegal or unlicensed firearm.

All eyes are on TCI as the recent commentary on the complex issues surrounding tourists inadvertently caught in the web of our stringent ammunition laws. It’s clear that while these laws were designed to curb violence, they may not have adequately accounted for scenarios involving non-malicious intent.

Therefore, one must ask does the punishment fit the crime?

The stark reality facing our tourism industry due to these incidents cannot be overstated. We risk not only harming innocent lives but also damaging a vital economic engine.

Nonetheless, we should not and cannot allow outside influence to hold our country hostage to certain demands for failure of a traveller to do their due diligence when travelling to a foreign country.

With that being said, is it time to rethink how we can enforce our laws while still protecting the spirit of hospitality that defines us?

Additionally, serious considerations of intent is both progressive and necessary when adapting our legal framework.

For first time offenders, perhaps implementing fines with rehabilitative measures rather than severe incarceration could indeed serve as a more effective and humane deterrent.

Despite the few tourists being caught up in this quagmire situation, a number of our young men in TCI who faced similar charges have already been handed their fate, serving 7-12 years in prison.

Most citizens would strongly agree punishment for such crimes need to be on a case by case basis. Not ruling out a short stint in prison in addition to hefty fines. Moreover, redirecting such fines to fund community and youth programs could offer long-term benefits, fostering a safer and more engaged community.

This is a pivotal moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands to demonstrate flexibility and compassion in our legal system, ensuring it remains robust yet fair. It’s crucial that we continue this conversation and work towards solutions that reflect both our values and the complexities of modern governance.

Although harsh, the disposition of these cases if not aligned with our strict laws, it could be sending a dangerous and conflicting message to potential visitors, as ignorance of the law should not be tolerated.

The outcome will also highlight the glaring contradiction as it relates to recent sentencing of local individuals for similar offenses. Hopefully it will prompt legislators to take a second look at the laws and display a willingness to consider how they might more reasonably revise it.

If not already in place, this should include creating some sort of a safety net that allows judges to sentence below the mandatory minimum for first time offenders, and give them a second chance if doing so will not endanger the public.

The courts should not be callously handing down these verdicts, especially to our youth who are

first-time offenders and without physically harming an individual.

In my opinion, what the courts failed to take into consideration is the negative impact it will have on the same group of young adults our country is trying to help and protect.

The impact on the individual and the community can sometimes produce absurd and unintended results.

It’s imperative that law makers find that balance.

For example, possessing ammunition without a valid permit may result a lesser fine for a first-time offender compared to someone with a history of similar violations.

Conversely, using or carrying ammunition in commission of a violent crime or trafficking ammunition illegally may result in a higher fine or imprisonment.

Any proposed revision to the law should not only be done to appease our tourism industry, but to help save our youth from themselves.

It’s obvious this law alone is not stopping the violence or importation of illegal ammunitions or weapons.

Since there is no cookie cutter approach to these types of challenges, I think it’s extremely important that before any country mimic or adapt the laws or policies of others, it’s imperative that they conduct their own thorough research and analysis to determine the long and short term impact.

Given the serious consequences of violating ammunition laws, it is essential for individuals and responsible firearm holders to understand and comply with these regulations. Compliance with ammunition laws is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative that promotes the well-being of the communities and individuals alike.

 

Ed Forbes

Concerned Citizen

 

Caribbean News

Bermuda Shaken by Targeted Murder as Crime Returns After a Decade of Calm

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Bermuda is reeling after the brazen murder of 37-year-old Janae Minors, a mother of two, who was gunned down in her own beauty supply store on Court Street, Pembroke. The attack, which police describe as “targeted,” has rattled the island, not only for its brutality but for what it says about the state of law and order in a country that less than a decade ago was celebrating a dramatic fall in violent crime.

The Attack on Court Street

According to police, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, a lone gunman pulled up on a stolen black motorcycle, walked into the Beauty Monster shop Minors owned, and shot her multiple times. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to hospital.

Detectives say the killer was thin, tall, dressed in dark clothing with a full-face helmet, and wearing bright gloves. CCTV shows him fleeing north on Court Street, down Tills Hill toward TCD, before turning onto Marsh Folly Road. Investigators are pursuing all leads, with a focus on recovering evidence from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts.

Police Commissioner Darrin Simons confirmed the attack bore the hallmarks of gang-related violence, a chilling indicator that Bermuda’s gang rivalries — long simmering beneath the surface — may once again be spilling into broad daylight.

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Minors, remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur with “a vibrant, beautiful personality,” leaves behind two children, ages 16 and 18. Her murder has ignited outrage across Bermuda, not just for its senselessness but for its timing: the island had once prided itself on virtually stamping out gun violence.

Then: Near-Zero Murders

Back in 2014, Bermuda made international headlines for reporting zero firearm murders — a remarkable achievement given the small island had endured a spate of gang-related shootings in the early 2010s. Police credited intelligence-led operations, tighter firearms interdictions, and aggressive prosecutions of gang leaders. Community programs and mentoring initiatives also played a role, giving at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.

By 2015 and 2016, gun crime was at historic lows. That period was hailed as proof Bermuda could beat back the tide of violence with coordinated policing, social investment, and political will.

Now: Alarming Resurgence

Fast forward nine years, and the picture looks starkly different. In 2024 and 2025, Bermuda has recorded a rise in gun-related deaths. Rival gangs such as Parkside and 42 have resurged, fueled by a new generation of recruits. Economic pressures, high youth unemployment, and the easy flow of smuggled firearms through maritime routes have undermined earlier gains.

Community trust in the police has also eroded, making investigations harder and retaliations more likely. Opposition MPs and neighborhood leaders warn that without sustained focus, Bermuda risks sliding back into the violent cycles of the early 2010s.

Public Alarm and Political Pressure

Premier David Burt condemned Minors’ killing as “an escalation of community violence that cannot be tolerated,” promising stronger enforcement and deeper engagement with residents. The Bermuda Police Service has appealed for CCTV, dashcam, and doorbell footage from the area, urging residents that even the smallest detail could break the case.

Yet among the public, frustration is growing. People remember the calm of 2014 — when zero murders were recorded — and cannot understand how the island has returned to headlines dominated by gun violence. The contrast is stark: from celebrating the elimination of gun murders to confronting the targeted execution of a businesswoman in broad daylight.

A Test for Bermuda’s Future

The murder of Janae Minors has become more than a single case; it is now a symbol of Bermuda’s struggle to hold on to the progress it once made. The question facing the island is whether the successes of a decade ago can be replicated and sustained in today’s harsher climate of economic pressure and gang rivalries.

For Minors’ family, nothing can erase the tragedy of losing a mother and daughter so violently. But for Bermuda at large, her death is a wake-up call — that the island cannot afford complacency when it comes to crime.

As one community leader put it: “Nine years ago, we had beaten this. Now, we’re back to fearing what happens when the sun goes down. That is not the Bermuda we want to live in.”

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Crime

Two Injured in Sunday Blue Hills Shootings

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Magnetic Media & Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, August 29, 2025 – A quiet Sunday afternoon in Blue Hills was shattered on August 24 when bursts of gunfire erupted along Front Street, leaving two people injured and sparking renewed fears in the community.

According to Eagle Legal News Media, residents reported hearing a barrage of bullets around 3:30 p.m., forcing people to run for cover. Videos from the crime scene later showed more than two dozen evidence markers scattered across the roadway, documenting the scale of the attack.

At least two individuals were struck by gunfire, though police sources said their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The victims were treated at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where emergency services were briefly disrupted as staff responded to the influx of casualties.

The spray of bullets also damaged property. A small black Japanese car had its window blown out, while a truck parked nearby bore visible bullet holes.

The shooting came on the very same day that senior police and national security officials had gathered for a special church service in Providenciales, where prayers were offered for peace and protection across the islands. Just hours later, residents of Blue Hills were ducking for cover as bullets tore through their community.

The attack also followed weeks of heightened restrictions. Though Blue Hills had only recently emerged from a community-wide curfew, neighboring Five Cays remained under emergency restrictions until August 26. Additional late-night rules — including 2 a.m. closures for businesses and a ban on after-hours alcohol sales — remain in place following the July 27 Hookah Lounge mass shooting that killed four people.

Police cordoned off Front Street during their investigation, but as of press time, no arrests had been announced.

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Crime

Police Seize Rifle and Ammunition in Blue Hills, 2025 Marked by Guns and Drug Arrests

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos — August 22, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has recovered a high-powered rifle and more than 250 rounds of ammunition following a targeted operation in the Blue Hills community of Providenciales.

According to police, officers from the Tactical Unit and the Criminal Investigations Division acted on intelligence and searched an open area where they discovered the weapon, 255 assorted rounds, and firearm accessories. No arrests were made. The investigation is continuing.

This seizure adds to a string of police actions in 2025 against guns and narcotics.

On March 27, officers executed a warrant at a residence in Pete Court, Kew Town. Police say they discovered several bags of suspected cannabis and tablets believed to be methamphetamine. A 58-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

In July, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force intercepted two separate narcotics shipments under Operation Transit Shed. More than 26 kilograms of cannabis and other drugs, with an estimated street value of over US $260,000, were seized. The contraband had been vacuum-sealed and hidden in boxes with detergent odors to mask the smell.

Days later, the country faced its first mass shooting when gunmen opened fire at a nightclub in Providenciales. Three people were killed and ten others injured. No arrests have been reported. Police are offering a US $10,000 reward for information leading to those responsible.

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey has urged the public to cooperate with investigations, while Premier Charles Washington Misick described the surge in gun violence as a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Residents are being encouraged to report illegal activity by calling 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or using the P3 app.

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