Danae Dennie

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, June 25, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands has experienced four murders within the last 24 hours, raising the murder toll to 19 for the year and during a press conference held on Monday, Police Commissioner Edvin Martin called it, “horrific.”

The latest murder took place in Blue Hills, Providenciales on the evening of Saturday, June 22.

Preliminary reports state that the Police Control Room received reports of gunshots being heard at a location along Bay Road shortly after 9 pm. Police and medical personnel were dispatched, and officers discovered the body of a male.

The 40–year–old victim was rushed to a medical facility for treatment and succumbed to injuries. He has since been identified as Dieuseil Eugene.

Homicide detectives are also actively investigating a murder in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Shortly after midday, also on Saturday June 22nd, the Police Control Room received several calls stating that gunshots were being heard in the area of the Community Center.

RTCIPF officers responded to the given location and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body.

Police have not yet identified the man, but civilians confirm the man gunned down in Five Cays was Robert ‘Black’ Jackson, well known to the community.

Mere hours before, Police were chasing leads in a double murder; the gun killings were recorded on June 21st 2024.

At 11pm, the RTCIPF discovered the lifeless body of a male victim in the area of Rainbow Gardens in Blue Hills, Providenciales. Another man caught in the spray of gunfire was immediately taken to hospital but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after 5 a.m, informed TCI Police.

The carnage of Friday and Saturday took the murder count for 2024 to 19.

Commissioner Martin encourages the public to cooperate with the investigation and share any information related to the incident. He highlights that the public’s assistance is crucial in having justice served.

“Colleagues, we are now up to 19 homicides for the year.  While one homicide is one homicide too much, I wish to indicate that if any particular country over 100,000 crosses 10 homicides, it is considered to be critical or high.  At this point in time, the situation as it exists in the TCI is one that is very concerning.  I therefore look forward to continued public support that will help us improve our operations on the ground, particularly as it relates to community policing,” said Commissioner Martin, who has been on the job nine weeks, having been sworn in on Monday April 22, 2024.

These crimes are still being investigated and the  RTCIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 8477 to provide any information anonymously. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.

Photo Captions:

Header:  Murder scene after shooting death of Robert ‘Black’ Jackson, killed in Five Cays.

1st insert:  Police in Blue Hills investigate the fourth shooting in under 24 hours; the man died at the scene.

2nd insert:  Double homicide in Rainbow Gardens, Blue Hills

(Wilkie Arthur photos)

***MEDIA RELEASE***

June 22nd, 2024.

Homicide detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are actively investigating a murder in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Initial reports indicate that shortly after midday, the Police Control Room received several calls stating that gunshots were being heard in the area of the Community Center.

RT&CIPF officers responded to the given location and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body.

The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.

#TurksandCaicos, June 7, 2024 – A 29-year-old male has been charged with the murder of BUTLER BRAVE PROPHETE. KERLY AGENOR, of Dock Yard, Providenciales, was charged today (June 06th) following advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In addition to the murder, the accused faces the following charges:

• Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of Ammunition
• Discharge of a Firearm
• Discharge of Ammunition

The charges against Mr. AGENOR state that on March 05th, 2024, in Providenciales, he murdered Mr. PROPHETE, Contrary to Section 3 of the Offenses Against the Person Ordinance Chapter 3.08.

At the time of his death, Mr. Prophete, 22, of Wheeland, Providenciales, was exiting his workplace on the Lower Bight and was shot dead.

Mr AGENOR remains in custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing.

In a brief statement, Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding, Public Protection, and Intelligence Dean Holden said: “I wish to thank the officers of the Serious Crime Unit for their dedication and commitment in bringing this case to a charge. Further, I wish to reassure the public and families that the RTCIPF is committed to bringing prosecutions against perpetrators and, when possible, closure to persons who have lost loved ones to these senseless homicides”.