Good afternoon Turks and Caicos, it’s Monday 3rd October 2022, and I am here to update you on the incidents of the last 24 hours which resulted in the deaths of three individuals with five others injured.
The timeline of events is as follows:
The first targeted attack occurred on a vehicle containing staff from a local business and two tourists who were being transported back to their accommodation after an excursion.
This happened around 6 pm yesterday in Long Bay Road by armed criminals in a vehicle. These criminals proceeded to indiscriminately shoot into the vehicle transporting the employees and tourists.
As a result of this attack, two persons were murdered, one from the local business and the other being a tourist from the United States.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those murdered.
Three other persons were injured, including the other visitor to the TCI.
The next incident involved a Police Patrol Car of the Tactical Unit which intercepted the vehicle used by the criminals in the first attack.
Based on information received from the Command Center, the suspected vehicle was followed and tried to evade the RTCIPF officers. The criminals started shooting in the direction of the RTCIPF officers with automatic weapons.
Their bullets repeatedly struck the police vehicle’s windscreen and bonnet area multiple times. Bullets also deflated two tyres of the vehicle driven by the officers.
Despite being under fire from automatic weapons, two of my officers, returned fire to protect themselves and that of their colleagues. One officer received a serious injury from a gunshot wound.
I cannot speak highly enough of the Officers who came under attack and who, when they could have retreated or taken cover, stood their ground and returned fire.
Frankly, an astonishing display of courage under fire from high-powered weapons.
Based on the injuries sustained throughout the shooting and the condition of the police vehicle, the vehicle containing the criminals escaped and the officers immediately sought medical help for their seriously injured colleague.
The third incident saw a man presenting himself at the hospital with a head injury. Whilst he was found at Smart Supermarket, it is believed at this stage that he was struck by shots discharged by the criminals in their confrontation with Police officers.
The fourth incident we are actively investigating is the report of an unidentified male body in Dock Yard.
Whilst subject to confirmation, we believe this to be one of the armed attackers who was shot by Police Officers during the attack on the Police Vehicle.
In summary, the explosion of violence last evening, perpetrated by these reckless and dangerous armed criminals resulted in the death of three people, including the man believed to have been shot by the Police with five more people injured.
I believe the original attack was targeted and carried out by armed gang members who act without conscience, who have no regard for life and who are hell-bent on causing indiscriminate harm and misery across the TCI. This violence is linked to drugs supply and is fueled by revenge, turf wars and retribution.
As Commissioner of Police, I am vowing that the RTCIPF will fight, any threat by criminals to attack law enforcement officers and the law abiding citizens of the TCI.
The RTCIPF are not going to break any laws. We will act within the confines of the law when dealing with gangs threatening to destabilize the beautiful by nature TCI with their nefarious, illegal violence. It will not be allowed to continue. The RTCIPF assures the law abiding citizens that law enforcement officers would defend themselves and the country to the fullest.
We know our communities are shocked and frightened by the levels of violence on the TCI in the last few months. The levels of violence would challenge a Police Force many times the size of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. However, the police officers that serve you in the Turks and Caicos Islands are not cowed by this violence or the violent criminals and we remain strong and determined to do all they can to take the fight to the violent criminals and protect our communities.
I salute the courage shown last night by my officers, in the face of the highest threat. The officers deserve the prayers and support of all communities for what they are doing to protect the Turks and Caicos Islands.
That said, we need support and I expect to see very substantial support arriving on the TCI shortly from across the region and the UK.
This support will be in the shape of armed officers and investigators to assist the RTCIPF deal with the current threats. I am grateful to the TCI and UK Governments for their support and also to the Government and Commissioner of Police from the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their solidarity and support.
In closing I also want to thank those who are assisting the Force with information and support to the hard-working men and women of the Force, this is really appreciated
I want to tell the public that as an organisation, the police force feels the full weight of its responsibility in protecting the country and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the TCI can be returned to that safe and secure place.