Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos Islands, Thursday, May 29, 2025 – An investigative journalist with Eagle Legal News Network was caught in a hail of gunfire on Wednesday evening, May 28th, during a brazen shooting incident along Blue Hills Front Road. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has since confirmed it is actively investigating multiple wounding incidents connected to the shooting, which occurred near a local dining establishment just after 7:00 p.m.
Wilkie Arthur, known for his crime coverage, was driving along Blue Hills Front Road when he stopped to greet a group of local young men — a routine gesture, he said, as he often checks in with them. During a conversation with a 16-year-old student, gunshots suddenly rang out.
“Fear hit me first, then I heard a voice say, ‘Plead the blood.’ I began to call on the name of Jesus,” Arthur said in a first-hand account posted on social media. He described shots striking his vehicle and glass shattering around him. A young man dove into the back of his jeep for cover. Though Arthur initially feared he had been shot, doctors later confirmed his injuries were caused by shattered window glass.
Meanwhile, police say they responded swiftly to reports of “loud explosions” in the area around 7:23 p.m. A male minor was arrested on suspicion of discharging a firearm. A 23-year-old male, found at a Bay Road residence nearby, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was transported for medical treatment. Another man, aged 50, reportedly suffered an injury to his thumb during the incident.
The RT&CIPF is appealing to the public for CCTV footage or information that could assist in their investigation. Citizens are encouraged to contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or submit tips anonymously via the Crime Stoppers P3 app.
As police work to contain escalating violence, one tourist who frequents the islands posted a damning review online, warning fellow visitors to avoid Blue Hills altogether. The post has stirred concern among residents as the community tries to enhance its image and attract more tourism.
Authorities and community leaders are now facing urgent calls to address gang-related tensions and restore a sense of safety in this historically vibrant and close-knit neighborhood.
