Distraught family members at the crime scene on Prison Lane on Friday night.
NASSAU, The Bahamas--The agonised cries of family members echoed through the Fort Fincastle community on Friday night, after three men were killed during a shooting at a home on Prison Lane.
In all, police said four men were killed in two separate incidents on New Providence over the weekend. In the first incident, police said they received reports of a shooting on Prison Lane shortly after 7:00pm.
Police said a group of men were on the front porch of a home when they were approached by two gunmen who shot at them. The suspects fled on foot. Emergency medical services pronounced two of the men dead on the scene, and a third man that was shot was transported to hospital where he later died.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said the victims appeared to be in their 30’s.
“It is a sad situation this afternoon [Friday, October 29 – Ed.] that two persons could walk up on a [group] that was enjoying their Friday evening and we have here today two individuals who have succumbed to injuries as a result of the use of firearms,” Peters said at the scene of the shooting.
“We are appealing to members of this community who may have any information in regard to this incident to contact the police department. Additionally, I ask the community or individuals in the country and particularly New Providence who are aware of persons in possession of firearms to report them to police.”
In the second incident, police said a man died hours after he was shot on Friday night on Carmichael Road.
Responding to reports of gunshots on Carmichael Road, police said they found a man in a vehicle with gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to hospital and died on Saturday, October 30.
Police said the man was sitting in a car outside a business establishment when he was approached by a man who shot him. The suspect fled the scene.
On Sunday, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said that he is concerned about “the level of disrespect for human life” in The Bahamas, as he appealed to the public to work with police to combat gun violence.
“The attitude of some persons demonstrates a cheapening of life,” Rolle said. “We have systems in this country, which enable persons to vent their grievances. There are many illegal firearms in this country, and I wish to encourage persons with illegal firearms to surrender them to the police or to someone whom you feel comfortable with to turn them into the police. I call upon all right-thinking persons in this country to decry the level of gun violence and ask family members who know that their loved ones have illegal firearms to encourage them to surrender their guns. We all have to do our part in the interest of the community. Nevertheless, we will pursue the active leads until we catch those responsible for these murders.” ~ The Nassau Guardian ~
