Sand Trap, off West Bay Street, where a woman was shot and killed on Monday. Photo: Tim Clarke/The Tribune
BY SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE recording three murders and several “serious” shooting incidents in 48 hours, Officer-in-Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said the public has “no need to be afraid”.
In an interview with The Tribune, Chief Supt Fernander responded to messages on social media that warned Bahamians to stay inside their homes this weekend, because a “gang war” had erupted.
Chief Supt Fernander said the entire country is in “safe hands” and the only gang that matters is the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).
The rumours began after a woman was killed and two people, a woman and a man, were hospitalised following a drive by shooting at the Sand Trap off West Bay Street around 8pm on Monday.
The shooting took the country’s murder count to 90 for the year and was the third homicide since Sunday.
Chief Supt Fernander said police do not have a motive for the killing at this time, but said they do not believe the women victims were the intended targets, but were simply in the “wrong place at the wrong time”.
The male victim from Monday night’s shooting, according to Chief Supt Fernander is “very well known” to police.
He said that police have launched an island-wide hunt for the culprits behind the shooting but currently there are no suspects in custody.
“The female victims were unfortunately, in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been anyone; it could have been you or I. That area is a relaxation spot with stalls and tables there was no one who could have predicted that a vehicle with four persons would have pulled up and shot into the crowd,” Chief Supt Fernander said.
“We have heard the rumours of persons talking about retaliation this weekend but this is no time for alarm. We are out there, the police are on the streets and we are in the fight. These people will put anything on social media to cause panic and to put people in fear. We are in control of this country, not these gangs. We will continue to be out there and continue to go after these persons who believe they can break the law.”
Chief Supt Fernander also appealed to members of the public to continue to assist police in their investigations.
“No one is above the law, we want to assure members of the public that the entire country is safe. We are out here, we will make this country safe and its citizens and its tourists. We need the public to continue to assist us,” Chief Supt Fernander said.
“You know the persons out there who are committing these crimes. They are your brothers and sister and cousins. You know they are involved in criminal activities so please speak to them. This is our country and we cannot let a handful of individuals destroy it.”
Early on Monday morning, a 21-year-old man was shot in the head during an argument outside a nightclub shortly after midnight on Arundel Street.
According to police, officers received information that gunshots were heard in the Centreville area. When police arrived, they discovered the lifeless body of a man with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified as Coleman Edgecombe, aka “Coldest”, of Soursop Street in Pinewood Gardens.
He was on the Bahamas Most Wanted List last year.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt Fernander said police are still appealing to the public to assist in locating a silver coloured Honda Accord, licence plate number 215220, which police believe to be involved in the death of Albert Rahming, a resident of High Vista.
The 52-year-old father of three and owner of the popular downtown nightspot Via Caffe was shot dead and his bullet-riddled body found slumped in a black Mercedes Benz in the parking lot east of the Nassau Sailing Club on the Montagu foreshore around 7.30am on Sunday.
Chief Supt Fernander said police did not know the motive for the killing of the former bodybuilder and ex-shareholder in the Fantasy Games gaming house chain, but said robbery is a line of inquiry they are following.
Anyone with information on any of these homicides is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.
Investigations continue.
Comments
Honestman 8 years, 1 month ago
Who is the Chief Superintendent trying to kid when he says Bahamians "have no reason to be afraid? When a person can't enjoy themselves at a public place on West Bay Street at 8 o'clock in the evening without being sprayed by bullets from a presumably automatic weapon then we have every right to be afraid. Ordinary people are becoming more and more afraid to venture out after dark. Last night there were reports of drivers on East West highway having their windshields smashed by thugs throwing rocks from the roadside. On what grounds should we not be afraid? New Providence has become a dangerous, lawless place and many people now live their lives in a very restricted way. There is very little quality of life anymore and the age old slogan "it is better in The Bahamas" has become completely redundant. What we could do without at this time is top policemen treating the public like fools. People are scared and they have every right to be scared. What is the government and the Police Force going to do to defeat these armed criminals?
ashley14 8 years, 1 month ago
The police say is no reason for the public to be afraid in spite of the recent murders. More than once they also say they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. What do they mean, we should never fear walking down the street. Going to the movies. Standing in our yards. Driving down the road. Talking to friends on the street corner. Violence is out of control. A lot of what drives these men to turn to these gangs is the lack of work and hope for a better different future. They know hunger and going without, but this isn't the answer. I know you know that. The government has got to find a way to improve the economy. Tourism is the main source of income, with this crime status. That won't improve. People save for their vacation and they won't bring their wife and kids somewhere with warning about the crime. The police need to really crack down and prosecute criminals. Then create jobs. I wish they could create industrial jobs without relying on tourism. I wish I had answers. I miss they way it was in the 80's. I love the Bahamas and it citizens. Some of the happiest times in my life were spent there.
The_Oracle 8 years, 1 month ago
When the rule of law has no legitimacy due to the failure of those who are responsible for its enforcement, crime is the ever increasing end result, with every step taken to combat being wrong. The Bahamas is on the wrong end of the bell curve.
Itellya 8 years, 1 month ago
"No need to be afraid"......hmmm...Seriously????
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrades! While the Chief Policeman's Superintendent Clayton has a job to do what I've read is nothing short walking the crime dog. A crime rabid dog that not only have far too many citizens, residents and tourists fallen victim to its threatening and often deadly virus, but it has become a rabid stray, so no individuals or communities knows where and whom it will bite next. It's an awful killers bite that if not arrested, many more people will fall victim to. I think even the (armed) policeman's are shaking in their uniforms at the harmful viciousness that has become the common actions by these same criminals.
licks2 8 years, 1 month ago
The police has just said: "we are now in this fight". . .they sent the names of the "known" fighters in this purported "war" out in the public. . .THIS IS WAR the message sent. . .they drew the line in the sand so to speak! I would not like to be one of the persons who are named in the police line-up of persons of interests! I would advise those young men to turn themselves in. . .the intent of the police seems to be "remove" them from the streets permanently! You watch. . .the smart ones among them will turn themselves in. . .the more belligerent among them will persist and be killed one by one. . .either the police or by other gunmen! Check the list of those who were wanted and whose names were released last year. . .the young man who was killed at the club in Palmdale was one of them. . ."coldest" was his street name. . . if I am not mistaken, he was one of those who turned himself in last year! However, our COP is playing around. . .it is time for some self protection. . .like the state of FL did when it had the highest rate of gun violence in its streets. . .IT ARMED ITS CITIZENS ALSO. . .THE CHANCES OF THE GUNMAN MEETING AN ARMED CITIZEN WENT WAY WAY UP. . .THEY GOT THE MESSAGE. . .FL GUN CRIMES IN ITS STREETS WENT DOWN SO FAST THEIR HEADS SPINNED! Heck the problem that developed was that "bad headed" gun carriers who though they head was "badder" than any other persons were "pleaded with" not to go in the street playing the fool (robbing etc.) because the citizenry "een playin wid yall anymore. . .they ger shot ya dawn fast fast". . . NOW FL WILD WILD WEST STREETS IS A THING OF THE PAST! These leaders here know quit well of which I speak. . .they have armed themselves. . .not depending on the police to protect them from these gunmen. . .the police can't be every place at all times. . .THE TIME GAP WHERE THERE IS AN UNARMED PUBLIC AND A POLICE WHO CAN'T BE EVERYPLACE AT ALL TIMES GIVES THE UNREGULATED GUNMEN THE UPPERHAND. . .well not for our leaders. . .or should I say our "gun-packing" leaders! Our leaders have "bridged" the gap for they and their families where gunmen know that the public can't stop them from killing. . .unless the police can get there quick!
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 1 month ago
Suggest you check your meds. You might be taking counterfeit Red China pills compliments of Frank Smith and Herbert Brown.
John 8 years, 1 month ago
“The female victims were unfortunately, in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been anyone; it could have been you or I. That area is a relaxation spot with stalls and tables there was no one who could have predicted that a vehicle with four persons would have pulled up and shot into the crowd,” Chief Supt Fernander said.***
doesn't this severely contradict the chief's statement. "Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said the public has “no need to be afraid”. If you are being slaughtered and not involved in any way except happening to be "in the wrong place at the wrong time..that is plenty reason to be afraid and not go out unless when necessary. But what exactly are the police doing to combat gang activity and gang warfare? Many believe that several of the recent murders are gang related and retaliations, to say the least. . "
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
....... Three Murdered Persons & Several “Serious” Shooting Victims Might Disagree ......
Police and politicians make the most asinine statements regardless of the FACTS dictating otherwise.
They obviously take Bahamians for the biggest, most gullible fools around!
banker 8 years, 1 month ago
I was just reading an article in the Los Angeles Times ( http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-ame… ) about how Montreal Canada, with a population of 1.7 million people had 19 murders this year. We are at 90. If they had the same murder rate in Montreal as in the Bahamas they would have about 540 murders. Instead they have 19. That tells you that there is something systematically and organically wrong with the Bahamas.
Not having enough jobs is not the complete answer. It has to do with single mothers -- children raising children where 75% of the families have no full time man living as a father in the family. It has to do with multiple children by the same woman with different men. It has to do with the poor level of education and functional illiteracy. It has to do with the monolithic economy of declining tourism. It has to do with the devolvement of Bahamian society built on the unstable sands of drug-running during the Lynden Oscar Swindling era. It has to do with racism -- both ways -- the UBP, colonialism and Black Crab. It has to do with the failure of independence. It has to do with men like Loftus Roker who destroyed stable institutions like the cadre of foreign teachers, solely because they were white and foreign. We are all paying now for our visionless founding fathers and their sins, and it ain't going away. It will take generations, to fix the Bahamas, and perhaps it will be never.
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 1 month ago
And MP Lightbourn was crucified like Jesus for saying this. Yes we are a lost country !
Publius 8 years, 1 month ago
Well this guy is a known moron, so...
Required 8 years, 1 month ago
If this is Clayton F.'s attempt at being funny, tell him not to quit his day job, because his prospects as a comedian are dim.
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
.............. "Fatherlessness Is One Of The Greatest Social Problems In Canada" ................
To blame crime on fatherless homes is a blatant lie, irresponsible, ignorant and used as a scapegoat for successive failed political leadership.
http://canadiancrc.com/Fatherlessness/F…
Crime is directly linked to lack of opportunities, inadequate education, joblessness and hopelessness. Fatherless homes is way down the ladder as causes of crime!
http://www.talidari.net/10-causes-of-cr…
People with no income cannot be expected to simply live under the stars and sit down watching their families starve to death. Human survival instincts motivates these people to find food and shelter by any means possible.
Those of you supporting Richard Lightbourn's stupidity would do your own research if you really cared about those less fortunate than you are.
Until people accept the fact that successive corrupt governments abject failure to educate the mass's, create opportunities and grow the economy commensurate with population growth are the REAL REASONS FOR CRIME you will continue to fall prey to shadow racist like Richard Lightbourn and the political class that accepts no responsibility for wholesale failing the electorate.
The Bahamas is where we are today because we were led here by corrupt politicians and their greedy crony grouping of friends family and lovers!
banker 8 years, 1 month ago
I followed the link you posted. Did you even read the article. Scroll down. Check out this quote from your link:
Father-deprivation is a more reliable predictor of criminal activity than race, environment or poverty.
Father-deprived children are:
72% of all teenage murderers. 60% of rapists. 70% of kids incarcerated. twice as likely to quit school. 11 times more likely to be violent. 3 of 4 teen suicides. 80% of the adolescents in psychiatric hospitals. 90% of runaways Sources: National Fatherhood Initiative (U.S.A.), US Bureau of Census (U.S.A.), FBI (U.S.A.)
Now having said that, I do not disagree with what you have said in the second part:
I was enumerating all of the problems, and I did categorically allude to failed political leadership.
However it is not ignorance to assume that fatherlessness contributes to the decay of the socio-economic and moral fabric of the Bahamas. Sorry, but just like the reality of climate change, fatherlessness is a huge predictor of crime.
But I do state that the state of the Bahamas is not due to a single cause. It is a spectrum and it started with the corruption of Lynden Oscar Swindling after gaining independence. The metaphor is that the teacher left the classroom (the ruling British) and chaos ensued because of the character defects and criminal mind of Pindling. That was the start of this entire sorry mess.
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
....................................... This Is How Propaganda Works ........................................
When a subculture is constantly stigmatized, the popular view becomes a part of our mutual understanding of ourselves – regardless of evidence.
And because this false advertising provides an "answer" to black Bahamians perceived failings without referencing the influence of systemic oppression, it’s a convenient lie.
I was an impressionable 13 year old from a large family when my father passed away. Today I am a self made successful businessman and neither of my siblings have turned to crime. There are scores of similar examples throughout the country.
Bahamas desperately needs "drain the swamp" of corruption in high places, encourage social entrepreneurship and focus on vocational education for the generation of the populace that were "led to failure" by corrupt, greedy politicians and our broken educational system.
People that oversimplify the cause and effect process are usually searching for anything that proves what they already believe to be true, rather than determining what the information actually says with a more honest approach.
Fatherlessness unquestionably is an aspect of the crime problem, however, REMAINS way down the list of contributing factors leading to crime rather than the TOP ROOT cause of crime as suggested by Richard Lightbourn.
Islandboy242242 8 years, 1 month ago
Meanwhile normal citizens have to drive home from work or school like 007 to make sure they aren't being followed then lock themselves in their home-made prison of iron gates, bars, security cameras and alarm systems with a personal armory inside and 6 dobermans outside...definitely no need to fear...
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
................... Jamaica PROVES Crime Directly Associated With Poverty ....................
As Jamaica's economy improves crime declines.... SIMPLE!
http://vision-newspaper.ca/jamaican-eco…
This nonsensical deception put forth by you people that crime is caused by fatherless homes is nothing but a scapegoat for successive government failure.
http://www.drivetimeradioshow.com/index…
Lightboune and all that support him are simply racist!
End of discussion!
John 8 years, 1 month ago
The biggest contributor to crime, violent crime in this especially, was when our police adopted the American style of stop, search, harass, intimidate and seek to arrest any black person. This was all the way back in the 1980's. So young black men were stopped by the police on the way to work, from work, to and from school and church and they were searched and intimidated in the middle of the street. innocent most of the time but robbed of their dignity. And if some flenched even a muscle they were arrested and had trumped charges put on them that they had to spend many years back and forth to the courts to defend. Many have convictions for small amounts of marijuana dating back 30-40 years ago. Today even though marijuana is legal and being cultivated and sold in the US wholesale, our police here still continue the stop, search and harass and intimidate our young men without probable cause. Searching for weapons or quantities of contraband does not require going in a suspects wallet, requiring him to remove his shoes and socks in the middle of the street or even feeling in his groin area in the most invading and dehumanizing way. Some young men have their first experience of aggressive and violent behavior with the police. When you treat persons like dogs they will start to act like dogs and will eventually bring fleas home. That being said some men go to prison for their own good. some are so full of anger and so desolate they can no longer function in society. They choose to be put away because they believe they cannot cope. May not be right but it is real. Just look around at the new amount of young men walking around the streets "out of their heads' since the passing of hurricane Mathew.. . "Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst."
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