Man accused of stabbing US tourist faces serious charges

Santo Charles, 35, will face the court next week to answer several charges relating to the stabbing of an American tourist in Grace Bay, Providenciales.

The frightening incident occurred around 8:05 am, April 02, 2023, in the vicinity of Salt Mills, Grace Bay, where a 48-year-old United States tourist was viciously wounded by the 35-year-old Haitian National.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force (RTCIPF) following investigations, the Serious Crimes Team has charged Santo Charles with the offence of wounding; one count of carrying an offensive weapon; four counts of using an offensive weapon, so as to cause fear and one count of assault on police.

On the morning of the incident, videos and images captured by onlookers showed a white car stationary in the middle of the street in Grace Bay, with the visiting tourist who was the occupant of that vehicle.

During a confrontation with the male assailant, the tourist received knife wounds and was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where he was treated.

Charles who appeared irritated was seen brandishing a weapon and repeating the words “I’m willing to negotiate”, to police officers who were also on the scene.

Other eyewitness videos showed the suspect launching at the officers who confronted him in an attempt to apprehend him and render assistance to the victim.

Prior to the incident on Sunday, Charles was in police custody overnight, having been involved in an unrelated incident at a resort where he caused a disturbance.

The incident involving the US tourist happened shortly after his release, according to the Commissioner of Police.

The accused was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.

In a synopsis of the operations, the ISU explained that during the demolition in the Bight, representatives from the ISU Working Group, the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, the Human Rights Commission, the fire department, the police, the electricity and water utility providers and Social Services were on site to witness the demolition. The containment activities took place on parcel 60802/17,

Illegal

Not the squatters’ land and not the squatters’ rights.

What about crown land?

Who paid for this, as these was privately owned properties? If they can do it for privately owned properties, what is the hold up on demolishing what is crown land to free up for people like myself to buy and build legally? This don’t make half sense.

Homeless?

Demolishing slums is a good policy if the government ensures that homeless numbers don’t rise. We don’t want to create areas loaded with homeless folks.

Heartbreaking, but necessary

It’s heartbreaking but necessary, the shanty towns are cropping up all over the TCI and many of these places are breeding grounds for all sorts of malicious activities, yes people need a place to dwell but this is not the right way.

(24 acres) The Bight and Thomas Stubbs whose lands are privately owned and from which a total of 35 illegal structures were safely cleared. It is believed that the structures had been occupied by a total of 140 persons.

The proprietor’s representative of this privately owned land was also present for the exercise and was fully cooperative and supportive of activities being carried out by the ISU. The owners had reached out to the Department of Planning to assist in the demolition procedures and the clearing of their properties.

What are your thoughts?

Needed intervention

This should’ve been happening a long time ago, why did it take the Government such a long time to tear down these unsightly buildings, the land they’re occupying belong to other people, what about the rights those people have? Don’t they matter too?

A necessary evil

It’s always brutal to destroy someone’s home. Many of those 140 persons might have been children or be honest people working with an honest living, but some might not have been. We need to take the bull by the horn in the TCI. There needs to be a necessary evil to get our once-beautiful country back to its pristine beauty. We cannot let our emotions side-track our rational minds. We need to only look towards Haiti to see the shacks and the crime and corruption that comes with them. We are barely keeping our heads above water, we are not a free for all. Nor should we be responsible for illegals and finding homes for them.

Deport the illegals

Immigration needs to also be at these locations, if you are without work permits, you need to be sent home. We are willing to implement these rules for actual working people, who contribute to the growth and development of the TCI, what about persons who come here and just feed off of our resources?

Become A Contributor

Want to become a contributor or have a suggestion for a Talk Back topic for us? What questions do you think we should be putting to the public? And what are your thoughts on it?