The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING the recent brutal murder of a young couple in West Grand Bahama, Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement Peter Turnquest says gun violence continues to steal some of the nation’s young and “brightest lights”.

Barry and Sheena Johnson were discovered shot dead at their Holmes Rock residence around 9.30am on Sunday. Both had been shot in the head.

“The horrific deaths of Barry and Sheena Johnson this past weekend served as shocking, devastating and sad news. The close-knit settlement of Holmes Rock, Grand Bahama and the wider Bahamas now mourn the loss of a striving young family,” the Grand Bahama MP said in a statement last night.

He noted that the Johnsons were educated with extensive training and moving impressively up the professional ranks.

“Barry had a remarkable 16-year stint at the Freeport Container Port, where he earned Supervisor status. Sheena’s age disguised her strong veteran educator skills. She was a brilliant and dedicated Science teacher recently promoted to Senior Mistress at the Eight Mile Rock High School. Their lives were deeply rooted in West Grand Bahama. The couple’s passionate and dedicated community work and involvement demonstrated that they never forgot and were proud of where they came from. Humbled by their personal accomplishments, Barry and Sheena contributed much to the advancement of others.

“Yet again gun violence has clouded our nation with fatal darkness and stolen two of our brightest lights. In honour of their lives and the too many victims of crime, the Free National Movement remains committed to the creation of a more safe and peaceful Bahamas for all,” he said.

The murder count in Grand Bahama for 2015 now stands at 12.