TCI homicide rate projected to hit record figures

Horace Wignal Junior, known as DJ Spookie, died from gunshot wounds

BY REBECCA BIRD

IF THE high rate of murders in the TCI continues until the end of the year, the territory is on track to be labelled one of the leading per capita homicide destinations in the world for 2020.

Godly Petiote was just 21-years-old when he was gunned down in Providenciales

After the island nation recorded its 11th murder of the year in early June – just two fewer than last year’s record total of 13 – the Weekly News examined international murder rates.

An analysis of the latest statistics revealed that the TCI is set to become one of the global violent crime hotspots if trends continue.

Percy Williams, 77, was brutally murdered by armed robbers in his Blue Hills home

Speaking to the Weekly News, Governor Nigel Dakin, who is responsible for internal security, said the number of murders in the TCI is a focus for all involved in law and order.

“The raw numbers, of course, are just the crude data and can only start to serve as a reminder of the heart-breaking and life changing events for the victims’ family and their friends.”

Lists of homicide rate mark the latest recorded number of murders per 100,000 people – and the territory’s small population means that its can move quickly from the bottom to the top.

By June 5, the TCI had tragically recorded 11 killings. If the rate of 11 murders per five and a half months continues, there will be 24 unlawful deaths by the end of 2020.

The Department of Statistic’s Vital Statistics Report 2019 estimated the TCI’s population to be 42,953.

A total of 24 homicides per year in a population of 42,953 equates to 55.9 homicides per 100,000 – the homicide rate.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its 2019 Global Study on Homicide reported a global average homicide rate of 6.1 per 100,000 population in 2017.

This rose to 13 in Africa and 17.2 in the Americas – all well below the TCI’s projected rate.

“Using the statistics of 1:100,000 as a comparator to other countries is blunt,” Governor Dakin said, “and perhaps blunt is what we all need to properly understand where we are and where we are headed.

“But getting beneath these statistics is also important if we are to understand what’s happening and how to turn this around.”

According to the UNODC, El Salvador currently tops the homicide rate list with 52.02 per 100,000 people from 2018 data, and the US Virgin Islands is second at 49.26 from 2012 data.

Other Caribbean countries and territories in the top 15 murder capitals of the world include Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at eight with a rate of 36.5 (2016 data), and Saint Kitts and Nevis at ten with a rate of 32.4 (2012 data).

The Bahamas is in spot 11 with a rate of 30.9 (2017 data), Trinidad and Tobago in at 12 with a rate of 30.9 (2015 data) and Anguilla at spot 14 with a rate of 27.7 (2014 data).

While statistics are not up to date, the TCI would likely hit the top ten global murder rates, if not the top spot.

A ‘BIG SOLUTION’

In responding the Weekly News’ projections, the governor said: “There are a whole range of uplifts across policing, community engagement, legislation and justice sector reform that the Premier and I have spoken to in the recent past, and will speak to again in the future.

“But for the moment let me start to describe the problem through numbers and also look at one of the big solutions again through statistics.”

Dakin looked back at the past 24 murders, which began on April 8, 2019, and said that 88 percent occurred in Providenciales with the remainder in Grand Turk.

Twenty three of the 24 murders were committed using a firearm, and a male was the victim in 92 percent of the murders.

About 70 percent of those murdered were under the age of 30, and “it’s believed that around 40 percent of all murders were motivated by inter-gang hostility”, Dakin added.

Only one person of the 24 was a visitor to the island, and he was staying with a long-term resident.

“In short, the majority of the murders are being perpetrated by young men, on other young men, in Providenciales,” the governor continued.

“Some are clearly retaliatory killings. Within this young cohort, the perpetrator and victim start to become confused. They know each other.

“Just taking the last three murders there were others caught up in the exchange of fire who received gunshot wounds.

“But those who have been shot - who almost lost their lives - have chosen to not cooperate with the police.”

He added that others who were victims of robbery and burglary, and had no association with gangs or their culture, also lost their lives.

The governor stressed the importance of members of the public coming forward to give tips through Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or www.crimestopperstc.com

“Our community were magnificent during lockdown,” he said.

“Today, a fully engaged and motivated society, wanting a better future for all, can turn the tide against crime in the way we turned the tide against Covid-19.

“None of the other tactics that are at the disposal of Government that are already underway (uplifts to policing, changes in legislation, reform of the criminal justice sector, a full cross government and engaged society response) can deliver so much, so quickly.

“Every tip, however small, adds to the picture. Together we can make a difference.”

‘Another deadly year

Following a request from the Weekly News for a response to the statistics, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson said the matter would be tackled in her national address on Monday.

In her speech, she said: “Crime continues to be a scourge on our Caribbean nations and among the same demographics.

“There is no play book as to how to save our young men from themselves but there are successful stories from around the region that we are prepared to use.”

She explained that increased gun charges and an increased life sentence from ten to 30 years has been implemented to serve as a deterrent.

Recruitment has begun for the trade school and critical partnerships have been formed across the police, social services and probation services, the premier added.

The Government is also now approved recruitment of people with police records.

“We continue to resource the police at unprecedented levels, and as reported pblically, a total change in approach is long overdue but underway.”

She said it is “heart-breaking” to see homes impacted and lives lost to senseless killings.

“Last week we experienced our 10th and 11th murders and are pretty much on track for another deadly year in the TCI.

“Wives, husbands, children, parents have over the past years grieved painful losses because of those who chose this path in life, and as a result of too many incidences of what we know of as revenge killings.”

The premier offered her sympathies and said it grieved her to see the territory impacted in this way.

She said the “troubled criminals” are often known and need urgent intervention, adding that there must be unity on this matter.

“There must be real and sustained partnerships to save our young men from destroying others’ lives and their lives in the process.”

She said she is seeking a cross-government approach never before employed with great opportunities for communities and their leaders to “stem out the scourge”.

“We are too small for this. And we must act as if it is on our own doorstep because it truly is – and until we get that, we will continue to wander around on this issue.”

Cartwright Robinson added that the Government has spared no resource and asked partners to spare no effort to partner in the right direction on the issue.

Victims of murder in 2020

THE MURDER count in the Turks and Caicos Islands during 2020 is at 11 with seven murders taking place since the territory was placed under lockdown in March.

Twenty-year-old Garfield Dennie died on June 5, weeks after sustaining gunshot wounds in a shooting in Blue Hills, Providenciales, on May 23.

Pierecine Petite, was fatally shot off South Dock Road in Providenciales shortly after 4pm on June 5.

Nine-year-old Samardia Karioka was killed in her Grand Turk home on May 20. Her mother Najaj Karioka, 42, was taken into custody following the death.

Percy Williams, 77, was shot dead in his Blue Hills home on May 3 as he tried to protect his family from armed robbers.

A murdered man, who is yet to be identified, was found at Blue Hills dump site on April 18 after reports were made of shots being fired in the vicinity.

On April 13, Martin Barga, a 44-year old construction worker from the Dominican Republic, was tragically shot and killed on Millennium Highway in Blue Hills.

On March 18, Acyjeune Brunorlien, 57, was shot dead during a home invasion in Five Cays, making it the third murder in just over a week.

Godly Petiote, 21, died in hospital on March 12 after he was shot several times on International Drive in Providenciales.

Sheen Dean, 26, was shot dead on Bay Road in Blue Hills on March 10 - in an incident that left two others with serious injuries.

Twenty-two-year-old Horace Wignal Junior, known as DJ Spookie, died from gunshot wounds on January 21 following a home invasion in Long Bay, Providenciales, earlier that month.

The first murder of the year was that of 29-year-old Fritz Gerald Mossoul who died in Providenciales from gunshot wounds on January 17.

Anyone with information on any incident can call 911, Chalk Sound Police Station on 338-5901 or 941-8082, or contact Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1-800-8477.