#TurksandCaicos, October 19, 2021 – It was important that the Premier spoke in a National Address on Saturday (October 16) about the very dark trend of the previous four days; two men, shot and robbed in broad daylight in parking lots in Providenciales by culprits who were masked, armed and trigger happy; the first man survived, the second man did not.

“Today, I feel compelled to come to you to bring you expressions of condolences.  To the family to Alpheus Gardiner and indeed to all families who have been victims of crime, but especially murder and other violent crimes.  This senseless loss of life must stop and it is my Government’s intention to ensure that it does.  Alpheus Gardiner was a personal friend, he was also a teacher and spent many years as a Permanent Secretary.  In short, he has made tremendous contributions to the life and progress of the people of these Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Washington Misick, Turks and Caicos Premier in a live social media broadcast from his Providenciales office.

He called Mr. Gardiner a personal friend who even in his retirement remained active in Turks and Caicos life.

“Mr. Gardiner a career public servant who dedicated over 40 years of service to the public service and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, joined the public service in 1971 as a Teacher at the Bottle Creek Primary School.

In 1977 he was promoted to the post of Principal of the Bottle Creek Primary School and in 1979 was appointed to the post of Primary School Advisor (Education Officer); a post he held for 3 years before being promoted to the post of Director of Sports in 1982.

In 1992 Mr. Gardiner was promoted to the post of Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health and Social Security; a post he held for 3 years before being assigned to the Ministry of Police and Prisons in 1995; Works and Utilities in 1997; Health and Social Services in 1999; Communication, Tourism, Transport, Immigration, Labour and Civil Aviation in 2001 and Development, Investment and Tourism in the Office of the Chief Minister in 2003,” informed a Turks and Caicos Islands Government release on the passing of the retired official.

Alpheus Gardiner, 68, died fighting for his life at hospital.

Reports are that he was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center after being shot in the abdomen by two masked and armed assailants who fled the scene in his white truck.  The parking lot ambush happened around 10 a.m. on Thursday October 14, soon after Mr. Gardiner exited the Royal Jewels store at Arch Plaza on Leeward Highway.

The ambush and shooting of the prestigious retiree who resides in North Caicos, resulted in the country’s seventh homicide for 2021, and it took place mere yards away from the Office of the Premier.

TCIG also said: “In 2005 Mr. Gardiner rose to one of the highest ranks in the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service when he was appointed to the post of Establishment Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary which held the responsibility for the overall oversight and management of the public service of the Turks and Caicos Islands; a post he held for 2 years before his retirement in 2007.

In spite of officially retiring from the civil service in 2007, Mr. Gardiner continued to serve the public service and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in various capacities since his retirement, having served as a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and Presiding Justice on the island of North Caicos as well as a former member of: the North Caicos District Administration Board; the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance; Education Advisory and Tourist Board and the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Commission, an appointment he recently held until August 2021.”

It was a mortifying crime report, the family in desperation summoned help from the Community requesting donations of blood.  It was said scores of people showed up in support of the beloved North Caicos native.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like for you to remember him.  Reach out where possible to support his family at this very vulnerable time for them,” said Premier Misick.

The Turks and Caicos Premier was supported in the presentation by H.E. Anya Williams, Acting Governor and Kendall Grant, Acting Commissioner of Police.

“In what may be described as a crisis, I understand that it is human nature for you to expect your premier to fix things and fix it fast.  However, in a complex situation like the emerging pattern of violent opportunistic crime, familiar answers, and I am sure there are lots of them, might not work and could even be counter-productive; we have to allow the Police to do their job,” said Hon Misick in the address, “There is no off the shelf solution to the troubling challenges we face, with all the unknowns and uncertainties, we need to remind ourselves that we cannot change the past but we can and we should change how we perceive it and how we look to the future.  Given the totality of the dynamics, the problem is enormous and all 40 thousand plus of us will have to work together to overcome it.”

The Premier wrapped this train of thought in a package familiar to islanders, another request to support the Royal TCI Police investigators with information on this or any other crime.

“We are our brothers’ keeper and when we have information that will lead to the solution of crime we must make sure it ends up in the right hands.  But together we will get through this difficult period… My Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders and Residents of this beautiful country, I am asking you to take care of each other and I am counting on you to do so.”

Residents who tuned into the national address said they expected more from the country’s leader, adding that he seems to be out of touch.

“It was a lot of mentioning of money, but there wasn’t any mention of the people of the islands getting help with these monies and that is what caused the death of this guy, day before yesterday was it and that is why the Filipino guy got shot. It was all about money. I will say it again, once money is on the streets, if the economy gets stimulated with money, you would not have none of this,” said a Providenciales man who believe another round of stimulus cash is overdue of the PNP Administration.

The first attack happened around 12:30 p.m. in the parking area of the Turtle Cove Marina, an employee of Mango Reef was shot.  His vehicle was also stolen and fortunately, Gary James, a pastry chef at the restaurant survived his ordeal.

The pattern is tremendously disconcerting.  No longer under the cover of darkness, but in the brilliance of the daylight, people are being targeted, perhaps even stalked and caught unawares by assailants who have demonstrated they have no regard for human life.

Though the head of Policing was in the room, the premier had no update on the suspects and no advice for residents.  There was no report on security activities which would take place in order to possibly prevent further attacks, there was however another pronouncement of the financial investments in the force in recruitment, training, equipment and facilities.

“Your government has been proactive; we’ve made huge investments in security infrastructure some of which you’ve heard about in the past.  Expansion to the police force strength from 320 to north of 350 (members); yesterday the 15^th October., the (acting) Commissioner swore in five detectives from the United Kingdom, with another 10 detectives to be sworn in over the next 60 days and in addition, the RTCIPF is recruiting 18 local officers.  We are serious about fighting crime.”

The Premier credited the National Security nerve centre, inclusive of the National Security Council as being proactively engaged and driven to establishing a technologically advanced national security strategy and team.

“To demonstrate our seriousness in dealing with the matter, we intend to make Turks and Caicos one of the safest destinations I the world by leveraging our financial strength to do so.”