Crime

Statement by Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting

Published

4 years ago

November 2, 2022

#TurksandCaicos, November 2, 2022 – Good evening Turks and Caicos, its Wednesday 2^nd November 2022.

The murder of three people, two adults and a child in Dock Yard yesterday was a horrendous act of violence that shocked the TCI and the region of Caribbean countries. This incident also left a seven-year-old girl seriously injured and traumatized.

It’s hard to comprehend the depravity and callousness of the individuals who carried out this attack. No matter the motivation or target behind these murders, innocent lives were ruthlessly taken.

Investigators have an open mind as to why these people were targeted; it may be that this attack is not linked to the gang related violence which the Force is currently fighting against, but was driven by other motivation. Whilst I know how challenging it is to provide information in a small community where there is genuine fear, I am again asking you to help where you can; if you know anything about this incident, an incident that led to the death of an innocent child , I implore you to tell us what you know, either directly, anonymously or through crime stoppers.

It is widely reported that a number of calls were made to the Force Control Room during the evening of Monday 31^st October, reporting the sound of gunshots in the Timber Crest area of Kew Town. There is a strong possibility that these gunshots were related to the attack that led to the deaths of the three people discovered in Dockyard during the early morning of the 1^st November.

Comment has also been made that Police Officers did not respond to these reports.

This is not true. Police Patrols did attend the area of Timber Crest and searched the immediate area. The vehicle was found outside of this immediate search area by members of the public the following morning.

As a learning organization and in the interests of transparency, the Police response to the calls regarding gunshots being heard during the evening of the 31^st October is under a review, so we can establish how we dealt with that call and identify where we could have enhanced our initial response.

What we can confirm is, that a seriously injured seven-year-old girl was alone in a car for a long period of time, knowing that her mother and brother, along with a male involved were dead.

Given that fact, and given the obvious trauma and distress of that seven-year-old child, you will be aware that a number of persons who were on the scene, when the vehicle was found chose to take photographs and videos of the dead and the seriously injured child inside the vehicle and circulate them widely, rather than provide immediate assistance and support to the child at the time when she was at her most vulnerable. At a time when she needed a human touch, a show of humanity and reassurance. Such photos and videos were further recirculated through social media and chat groups.

Some are justifying their actions by saying it is in the public interest. However, any public interest must be balanced against the interests of those involved. It is certainly the view of myself and my Force Executive colleagues that the taking and circulating of those photographs served no purpose and it was certainly not in the public interest. It was definitely not in the interests of a seriously injured and traumatized child.

It is often quoted that ‘THE TRUE MEASURE OF ANY SOCIETY CAN BE FOUND IN HOW IT TREATS ITS MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS’ If this is true, and I think it is, members of this society failed in that moment; a moment when a seven-year-old girl was at her most vulnerable.

I applaud you if you did not pass on the photos and videos and I salute you if you challenged the persons who sent them to you as to how inappropriate the images were.

To those who did take, circulate and recirculate those photographs I would ask that you imagine how you would feel if this was a member of your family, a loved one that was either killed or was in need and others did not help but took photos for circulation.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a decent, Christian society but if we do not challenge such indecent and unchristian like behaviors, we run the risk of eroding the very Christian values and decency that we hold dear, that define us.

I sincerely hope that such behavior towards a child in need, or any persons who require help or human kindness is never repeated. I hope that the people involved reflect on what they did and the potentially emotional harm that their actions may have caused.

I do hope in the future that we, as a society. do better in the test as to how we treat out most vulnerable people.

Thank you.

Crime

Human Trafficking Probe Revealed as Police Warn of Growing Teen Crime Concern

Published

20 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – A police briefing intended to update the public on crime trends in the Turks and Caicos Islands instead exposed what may be one of the most significant criminal investigations currently underway in the country.

When questioned about the June 14 shooting on Bible Street, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey revealed that the incident stemmed from an anti-human trafficking operation during which 12 women believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by law enforcement.

“The officers were engaged in an anti-human trafficking operation… 12 females were rescued or victims of human trafficking were rescued, and they are in our care and that investigation is advanced,” Bailey told reporters.

The revelation stunned many who had linked the Bible Street shooting to other recent violent incidents, including the June 12 murder in Five Cays. However, the Commissioner indicated the confrontation was connected to the anti-human trafficking investigation, though he declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing case.

More than a week later, authorities continue to maintain that the investigation remains active. Magnetic Media has confirmed with police officials that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the alleged human trafficking operation.

The Commissioner also sounded the alarm over what appears to be an emerging trend involving teenage boys and serious criminal activity. In discussing recent incidents, Bailey suggested that some young offenders are operating within organized criminal networks and warned that law enforcement alone cannot solve the growing problem.

“My experience tells me that once they reach a threshold it is very difficult to bring them back,” Bailey said. “The social agencies will have to get involved. We have to find a way to reach these unattached youth and to engage them and to create that positive reinforcement in their life.”

Despite those concerns, Bailey reported that overall crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to trend sharply downward.

According to police statistics presented at the briefing, murders have fallen from 13 at this point last year to just one in 2026, representing a 92 percent reduction. Attempted murders have fallen by 100 percent, kidnappings by 75 percent, robberies by 34 percent, aggravated burglaries by 22 percent, firearm possession offences by 50 percent and incidents involving the discharge of firearms by 85 percent. Police reported that nearly every major category of serious crime has declined compared to the same period last year.

The lone murder recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 2026 occurred on June 12 in Five Cays. While no arrest has been made in that case, the Commissioner indicated that investigators believe they know who is responsible.

“I am convinced and I am positive that the perpetrator is a teenager,” Bailey stated.

The press conference was held at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.

Crime

Rape Only Major Crime Category to Increase in Turks and Caicos

Published

1 day ago

June 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – While nearly every major category of serious crime is trending downward in the Turks and Caicos Islands, police statistics reveal one troubling exception: rape.

Speaking during a press conference at Police Headquarters in Providenciales, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey reported a five percent increase in rape cases compared to the same period last year, making it the only major crime category to record an increase in 2026.

The increase comes as police celebrate dramatic reductions in murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, robberies and firearm-related offences.

However, Bailey cautioned that the statistics surrounding rape cases are often more complex than they initially appear.

Responding to a question from the media, the Commissioner explained that some complainants report rape but later choose not to support police investigations. In other cases, the alleged offender is known to the complainant, creating additional challenges for investigators.

“We have some of those reports where persons make allegations which have not been proven because they will come and say they have been raped, but they do not support an investigation,” Bailey explained.

The Commissioner stressed that police are required to document and investigate all reports made to law enforcement, regardless of whether a complainant later decides not to proceed.

“Once you make a report, we have to record it and we have to fulfil our obligation,” he said.

Bailey also noted that in many reported cases, the alleged perpetrators are individuals known to the complainants.

While acknowledging that some reports may ultimately not result in charges or convictions, the Commissioner emphasized that every allegation must be treated seriously and investigated appropriately.

The figures underscore an ongoing challenge for law enforcement and social service agencies as the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to work toward reducing violence and protecting vulnerable members of the community.

Bahamas News

Gardiner Transferred to New York; Mystery of Missed Hearing Now Explained

Published

4 weeks ago

May 29, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Bahamas, May 29, 2026 – One of the biggest questions surrounding the Jonathan Gardiner case appears to have been answered.

Weeks after reports surfaced that the Bahamian businessman failed to appear for an expected court hearing in Orlando, newly disclosed court records show the hearing never took place because Gardiner elected to have the matter heard in New York, where federal prosecutors are pursuing the case against him.

According to reporting by the Nassau Guardian, U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathan Hill ruled on May 19 that Gardiner was the person named in the federal arrest warrant and ordered that he be transferred to the Southern District of New York.

“…I find that Jonathan Eric Gardiner is the person named in the warrant for arrest…,” Hill wrote.

The judge noted that no preliminary hearing was conducted in Florida because Gardiner chose to have that hearing held in the district where the prosecution is pending.

That district is New York.

Hill ordered that Gardiner “be held to answer in the district court in which the prosecution is pending” and directed the U.S. Marshal’s Office to transport him to the Southern District of New York.

No date for a New York court appearance was disclosed in the order.

The development helps explain confusion that followed reports of a missed Orlando court date and marks the latest chapter in a case that has captured public attention in both The Bahamas and the United States.

Gardiner first came to the attention of U.S. authorities after surviving an Election Day plane crash off the Florida coast. Federal prosecutors have accused him of participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, allegations he is expected to contest in court.

The matter has attracted even greater scrutiny because federal court documents reference an unnamed “Politician 1”, fueling widespread public speculation about the identity of the individual and whether additional disclosures could emerge as the case progresses.

Meanwhile, a separate investigation has uncovered troubling findings about the aircraft involved in the crash.

According to reporting by The Tribune, investigators say the Panamanian-registered aircraft that ditched into waters off Florida on May 12 did not possess a valid certificate of airworthiness and should not have been operating at the time of the flight.

That revelation has added another layer of intrigue to an already extraordinary case involving a dramatic ocean rescue, a federal drug conspiracy prosecution, political speculation and now questions about how an allegedly unairworthy aircraft was carrying passengers between Bahamian islands.

For now, attention shifts to New York, where Gardiner’s next court appearance is expected to provide the first substantive hearing in a case many continue to watch closely.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.