Deandrea Hamiltonian

Editor 

May 15, 2024 – Police in the Turks and Caicos Islands are investigating a double shooting that occurred late Saturday night, resulting in one fatality and one man injured.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF), the first shooting was reported around 11:12 p.m. on May 10 in the Kew Town area.  Officers responded to gunshots heard near Harmony Close and discovered a man suffering from gunshot wounds at Cerasie Close.  Emergency medical services were called, but the victim—identified as 33-year-old Cyrildo Smith of Kew Town—was pronounced dead at 12:16 a.m.

While securing the scene, police located a second man nearby who had also sustained injuries. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment. His condition was not disclosed in the statement.

Shortly after, at approximately 11:25 p.m., officers responded to a second report of gunfire at Ralph Close in the Blue Hills area. There, they found a 20-year-old man inside a house with apparent gunshot wounds. He was also taken for medical treatment. Authorities did not release his name or details on his condition.

Police have not confirmed whether the two incidents are connected and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or using the P3 mobile app. The Serious Crime Unit is also reachable at 231-1842.

The RT&CIPF extended condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Smith.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor 

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A sophisticated online scam promising over $42,000 in government-issued payments has triggered alarm in The Bahamas, prompting a swift and stern warning from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The elaborate hoax, now pulled from the internet, featured a fake Q&A-style interview with Minister Michael Halkitis — complete with doctored quotes, government-like branding, and the logo of a major national newspaper.

At the heart of the scam was a too-good-to-be-true offer: a special financial program allegedly reserved for 4,000 Bahamians, each set to receive $3,500 BSD monthly. The phony article, disguised as a legitimate news piece, falsely claimed the initiative had government backing and featured a fabricated interview in which Minister Halkitis appeared to endorse the program.

In a press statement issued May 13, Minister Halkitis categorically denied any involvement and called the website “very likely a website created with malicious intent.” The Ministry emphasized that neither the Minister nor any government agency is connected to the claims being circulated.

“This message was not sent out by the Minister nor is he in any way affiliated with this group or any services they claim to be offering,” the statement read. “We strongly advise members of the public to avoid submitting any personal information or making payments to this website.”

The fraudulent site not only exploited the Minister’s name and likeness but also leveraged the brand of The Nassau Guardian, one of the country’s oldest and most reputable newspapers, to boost credibility. The result was a dangerously convincing piece of disinformation that has since been flagged and removed — but not before circulating widely on social media.

Government officials are urging residents to report any suspicious links or ads they encounter and to be cautious of offers that require payment or the submission of sensitive personal information. The matter has been referred to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for further investigation.

The Ministry is also advising Bahamians who may have interacted with the scam to take immediate corrective action, including changing passwords and contacting their banks or relevant authorities.

“We encourage the public to remain vigilant and always verify information through official sources before taking any action,” the Ministry urged.

This latest incident underscores the evolving sophistication of online scams in the region and highlights the importance of digital literacy and healthy skepticism when encountering sensational claims — particularly those promising unearned wealth.

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, May 15, 2025 – When he booked his infamous “freak offs” in the Turks and Caicos, Sean “Diddy” Combs used an alias and dragged an unwilling girlfriend to be part of the sexual exploits reportedly staged in hotel rooms in the Caribbean hot spot; that’s what came out in testimony from Cassie Ventura, the prosecution’s first witness in the scandalous sex trafficking trial.

Ventura, who dated Combs for 11 years, described a dark underworld of weekly “freak offs” allegedly arranged by the hip-hop mogul, beginning when she was just 22.  Speaking in harrowing detail, she told the jury the encounters—held in locations including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Ibiza, and Turks and Caicos—often lasted days, fueled by drugs Combs allegedly supplied: cocaine, ecstasy, and molly.

In one Turks and Caicos incident, Ventura said she was ordered into a blow-up pool filled with baby oil, testifying, “At that point, I couldn’t say no… If Sean wanted it to happen, that’s what was going to happen.”  Prosecutors revealed Combs used aliases like “Frank White” and “Frank Black” when booking hotel rooms for these encounters in the territory.

Ventura described being physically and sexually abused, forced to find escorts—sometimes via Craigslist—and comply with rigid demands, including specific lighting, clothing, and even nail polish.  She said Combs often recorded the events and threatened to release the footage if she disobeyed him.  “I felt disgusting and humiliated,” she said, recalling one instance where escorts urinated on her at Combs’ direction.

The most disturbing moment came when jurors were shown still images from the freak offs.  Many appeared visibly stunned.

A now-infamous 2016 video showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway was tied to one such incident.  She claimed she tried to flee a “freak off” before her movie premiere but was beaten and left with a black eye.  When asked how often he threw her to the ground, she replied, “Too many to count.”

Cassie and Combs ended their relationship in 2018.  She is now married and appeared at trial visibly pregnant, supported by her husband in court.

The trial continues today with Ventura’s cross-examination.  Prosecutors must prove racketeering and sex trafficking charges.  Combs, who has denied all allegations, faces life in prison if convicted.

It remains unclear if any witnesses from Turks and Caicos will be called to testify.