RBDF officers on duty outside Government House on Sunday following the shooting which led to the death of Petty Officer Philip Perpall (inset). Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force veteran was shot multiple times in his upper body and killed by his subordinate at Government House early yesterday morning, gripping the nation and sending shock waves throughout the RBDF.
For officials, this has raised questions about how a man who went to work to provide for his family was killed at the country’s highest office – a place considered one of the most secure government facilities. Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling was not at the residence at the time.
Petty Officer Philip Perpall, once a United Nations peacekeeper in Haiti and a dedicated marine for more than 30 years, died in the guardroom of Government House after he was shot at around 2.30am by a marine whom sources say was not on duty at the time. It is unclear if he was at any time stationed at Mount Fitzwilliam.
PO Perpall, 52, was the only casualty of the incident despite the perpetrator also opening fire on other officers in the room, Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said yesterday.
Commissioner Ferguson would not say whether the perpetrator was also a marine, but he confirmed that a person of interest was assisting officers with their investigation.
However, multiple off record sources, including those in the RBDF, confirmed the suspected shooter was an able seaman.
Other sources said it is believed that the shooter “jumped the wall” of the compound and gained access to the room where four officers, including PO Perpall had gathered for a break.
Still, Commissioner Ferguson said police did not know how the shooter got there and was able to execute the tragic event that followed.
The police chief said the shooter’s motive was unknown and he would not confirm whether the weapon that was used was a service weapon, a personal firearm, or licensed.
Relatives were also visibly distraught yesterday at a family residence, the incident too difficult to speak about, they said.
“As you are aware today we called this press briefing to give you some information about the tragic incident that took place on the premises of the official residence of the governor general sometime early this morning,” Commissioner Ferguson said during a press conference yesterday at the Central Detective Unit.
In attendance at the briefing was also National Security Minister Marvin Dames, Commodore Tellis Bethel, Anti-Corruption Unit head Assistant Commissioner Paul Rolle, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, officer in charge of CDU, and other officials.
“I am aware that there are lots of things going around on social media,” the police chief added.
“This is what we know: we got a report sometime around 3am this morning through Police Control Room that a marine was shot on duty while at Government House. Responding officers upon arrival spoke with the officers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force who reported that around 2.30am a male accessed the premises of Government House and made his way to the Guard House, where the guard commander and other officers were.
“I am told that the guard commander was sitting in the administrative area along with another marine while others were on break in the room area.
“This male opened fire from a handgun on the guard commander hitting him several times to the upper body before fleeing the premises. He was pursued by alert marines, however he made good his escape.”
He continued: “Paramedics were summoned to the scene where they examined the victim and pronounced him dead at that location.
“A team of detectives from the Central Detective Unit along with the commodore and his team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force went to that location and from all indications we have an active investigation ongoing.”
The murder is seen as a “real blow” to the RBDF, especially to those who worked closely with PO Perpall, according to Commodore Bethel yesterday.
He said his dedication and integrity earned him the respect of his peers.
“Certainly, we join hearts and hands with extending condolences to the family who’ve lost a great man,” Commodore Bethel told the media.
“Petty Officer Philip Perpall served for over 30 years and certainly left his mark in the defence force. In fact, he was a peace keeper having served overseas in Haiti with the United Nations mission and not too long ago he was a part of the team that adopted the cemetery for the British Legion and they brought that up and modernised it and invested a lot of time and energy in it, which really was a reflection of his heart and his commitment to service.
“He was hard working, he was dedicated and he was committed and certainly he earned the respect of his peers.
“So this has come across as a real blow to the members of the defence force and has ricocheted throughout the force.
“Certainly there will be a need for healing among the members of the force, especially those who worked in his department and throughout this whole process of investigation we have committed ourselves to providing full support to the investigation,” the commodore continued.
“Whatever information is required, whatever procedures need to be followed we have committed ourselves to providing that support for the commissioner and his team and we are certainly grateful for the quick response and the investigation that is being conducted by the commissioner of police and his team and we look forward to bringing resolution to this serious matter.”
Serious concern
Sadly, Mr Dames said the killing brought to light the need for proper security measures in government buildings and departments.
However, he insisted that any measures to be taken in the near future were not reactionary, but shed light on ongoing discussions that officials have been having for some time.
He said a special committee would be appointed to look at procedures and practices.
“When I got the information I could not help but feel tremendous sadness that a family man who went to work to make a living for his family not knowing that it would end so tragic and this unfortunately is part of the nature of the job of a law enforcement officer,” Mr Dames said as he offered condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the government.
“Oftentimes one leaves home with strength and energy looking forward to the work ahead, but not know how it would end and so this is very sad day for us in the Ministry of National Security and all of us in the armed force to be here and discussing such an incident.”
He also said: “The government of the Bahamas is committed to the security if this nation, the security of every single Bahamian.
“So any time we have an incident such as this it brings us all to the fore to appreciate how important it is for us to take security and safety seriously and so this particular incident of course is of serious concern to the government and we will be looking at it in depth to determine what happened, why it happened and if there were any breaches or failures to address those aggressively.
“I had an opportunity to speak to both the commissioner of police and the commodore and our concern is having to do with how was something like this allowed to take place in such a public place that was supposed to be so secure,” Mr Dames continued.
“That’s a concern of mine and most certainly a concern of the government and for the gentlemen who are sitting on both sides of me this afternoon. I had a meeting prior to coming to this press conference and would have discussed with both the commissioner and the commodore that aside from the police investigation, which is totally separate and the police have already begun pushing in relation to this, we have to bring this matter to a closure and I am confident that the police are on the right track.
“On the outside of that we have to look at why something like this was allowed to happen. So I maybe in the next week or so will be putting together a team who will look at this incident not from a police investigation side, but from a practice and procedural side to determine what went wrong, why it went wrong and if persons are responsible then they must be held accountable. That is how we do business.
“For a while now we have been talking about the protection of government buildings, especially key government buildings and putting in place the requisite policies and procedures that will allow us to know exactly what we need to do and when we need to do it.
“This, of course, will speed that process up. It is high time for us to move in that direction. We are living in a different world nowadays and we must move with the times,” he said.
In the days and weeks ahead, Commodore Bethel said officers who witnessed the shooting and those who worked closely with PO Perpall will undergo counselling to assist them in the aftermath of the incident.
He said he was confident that the force would show its resilience and rebound from this tragic incident that took the life of an invaluable officer.
Comments
John 5 years, 6 months ago
‘A small group of prolific offenders killing up each other.’ This country dropped the all a long time ago by not getting to what was driving murder and violence in the country. And now it is reaching to the highest levels of society. But still the ‘WHY?’ May the soul of the departed rest i Rest In Peace.
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 6 months ago
Obviously they need to take security more seriously in this country.
This is sad.
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 6 months ago
What was the mental state of the perpetrator committing such a brazen act? So many questions...
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
Unfortunate, sad situation ............ May all of the RBDF officers and their families be remembered in our prayers .......... We sure hope that this is a wake-up call for them.
rawbahamian 5 years, 6 months ago
This should have been picked up and recognized during their "comprehensive and thorough" vetting process but then again we are dealing with and suffering from double D graduates given positions of responsibility.
Sickened 5 years, 6 months ago
Vetting process? Lol! The process is... "My MP say I ga work wid u" - in that same vernacular and spelling.
ohdrap4 5 years, 6 months ago
well this seems to be a work related mass shooting
BMW 5 years, 6 months ago
Maybe a hate crime!
John 5 years, 6 months ago
Commissioner Anthony Ferguson should investigate this incident very carefully and very thoroughly.. He don’t want to have the alleged shooter sitting in prison while real evidence is left to disappear. This is very suspicious after the multiple shootings by occupants of a ‘Ford Explorer’ on the Montagu ramp just a week ago. And this incident was very successful in getting screaming headlines on every news media in the country and on social media.
Emilio26 2 years, 9 months ago
John sorry the late reply but I think national security minister should've seek the help of NCIS or the FBI to investigate this matter
Chucky 5 years, 6 months ago
Clearly there is more to this story than has been told. Nobody gets killed deliberately for no reason, he must have been involved in something?
Sickened 5 years, 6 months ago
And this man got away from a secure compound with armed marines? Or did the other marines on duty only have water pistols?
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 6 months ago
Too many "we don't know" answers to reporters' questions. That means a very deliberate withholding of damaging info. Ferguson, Bethel and Dames know a whole lot more about this incident than they want the public to know.
DDK 5 years, 6 months ago
You may be right, you may be giving them too much credit! Sad and bad situation.
licks2 5 years, 6 months ago
Or just talking nonsense as usual!!
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
Oh yes, yes flashback 2013 recognize not much but name governing party has changed, yes, no.... back to a time when we beloved Queen's red shirts leader hadn't yet had his leadership of red party officially revoked by Governor General Marguerite, after Her Excellency had been requested so do by Minnis's very own 7-House of Assembly MP colleagues had turned rebels against their deemed be lazy leader... flashback 2013 when the Queen's official opposition were loudly pronouncing how Colony of Islands has gone all 'Voodoo" after armed masked bandits had Invaded family home of Colony of Out Islands Acting Prime Minister Comrade "Brave"........... yes, no back at a time the 2013 incident when the Acting PM and his family were at home in the residence, yes, no if anything the thugs have made it that even with all protective armed security on guard 24 hours around the clock that not even is living and working in and around atop Mount Fitzwilliam are safe from the murderous thugs, yes, no..... Is it a damn reason not want wonder if their is not some "Voodoo" to OBAN documents which have gone 'missing' for one full whole year to date, yes, no?
banker 5 years, 6 months ago
Trust you to bring politics into this sad situation. Disgusting.
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
Yes, yes comrade Banker, I do trust you can trust not my words but my merely offering rear view mirror recalling the 2013 action words spoken by the then Queen's official opposition politicians, yes, no.... I just don't have make up the recalling when its "accuracy red shirts done packaged" stuff, yes true..... I don't wish trust you also don't wish be reminded about the how opposition red shirts politicians had themselves brung 'politics' in erecting that murder count Billboard in "busy tourist spot,- yes, no...... again - such recall "accuracy" - yes, true?
John 5 years, 6 months ago
There are two strange or unusual events that happened on that night that may be related to this shooting and needs investigation.
DDK 5 years, 6 months ago
Inspector Blatch, the ADC to Governor General was murdered just over six months ago. Is there something in the water up on the Hill, or is it just city water in general?
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
Yes, yes surly the reported be 5 on duty comrade officers 'presumably armed' and at ready rush to protect the life and limbs Queen's Governor General - had have fired back in direction fire power of the intent on mass murderer home grown terrorist, yes, no?
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
SAD TO FAMILY OF THE DECEASED. UNEXPECTED TRAJIC TO NATION.
THERE SEEMS TO BE PARALLEL SYSTEM OF JUSTICE.....AND THE HUNDREDS.....AN...HUNDREDS......OF.....UNNECESSARY.....WANTON MURDERS.....BIN GROWING FOR DECADES.....SOCIETY JUMPS UP AN GIVES...FAKE RIGHTEOUS.INDIGNANT ....DESE TOP LEVEL....ECHELONS......BEING MURDERED........REALLY.....REALLY....REALLY........FROM DA BOTTOM LEVEL OF ....SAME SOCIETY....7 X 21 MILES.........WE DA PORE SUFFERING...WRETCHED.....PUSHED....INTO PPOVERTY......PAIN.....LACK OF JUSTICE.....CURRUPTION RAMPANT ...RICH GET RICHER.......ALL BENEFITS TO RICH..NONE IN JAIL..............BUT PORE LOCKED UP FOR ONE JOINT.......ROBBED BY EMPLOYER AN WASTE OF TIME GOING TO LABOUR DEPT......ROBBED ....NO RECOURSE....FAIR PLAY.... BY BUSINESSES... BANKS......AN NO POINT OF PAYING LAWYER......SHORTCHANGED SEEKING HELP FROM ANY...ANY....GOVT DEPARTMENT AN NO HELP...LOSING FILES...DONT ANSWERINNG PHONES......REPEATED TRIPS AN NO FAIRNESS TO PORE.....BUT DA WELL DRESSED ELITES.......BOLD FACE LIARS....HYPROCRITES......ALWAYS GETTING THE RIGHTS.....ALWAYS SEEMS TO BELIEVE DA RIGHT......BY AGAIN ELITES...ECHELONS...COHOTS....PARTY MEMBERS.....STALWARTS.....CLUBS....SEXY GALS....FELLAS SUITS AN WHITE SHIRTS.....PASTORS WID COLLARS.....BLATENTLY JUMPING LINE...RICHES OFF THA SWEAT OF PORE PEOPLE.............pore society jus owning Fox Hill Prison under the most inhuman....dehumanizing human beings........BY learned educated elitism....jus pushing pore victims withouts fairness...justice....ombudsman...protections for da pore oppressed..no recourse.....YA PUSHING VICTIMS TAKING JUSTICE IN DERE OWN HANDS....VENGENCE....PAYBACK...........OF DIS SOCIETY TO LIMIT TO EXACT VENGENCE ....OWN PAYBACK....JUSTICE.......erry 5 years bin happeninin learned helpnesses by pore..sufferin...wretched...misery...amger...frustrations.....bin gettin new elected Govts ...massive swings.to other side wid with corruption...an nomenklatura...conversations from da bottom up needed......
Godson 5 years, 6 months ago
Where the institutions of The Bahamas operates to kill the DREAMS of God's Children, they have opted for the people to live out their worst NIGHTMARES.
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
According to a well known well respected Bishop there some reckoning years ago there are more than 4,000 Christian churches in the Bahamas an of each there are two or more preachers......... See full article Obituaries Section Religion Tribune Thursday, April 11, 2019 page 43.
truetruebahamian 5 years, 6 months ago
These are not Gods children, just unwanted bastards who will issue their hate wherever they feel to be a misunderstanding. All out of wedlock children not accounted to committed parentage must be retrained to deflect their hate, and educated to understand that they should not breed more than one or two children per family. More is unacceptable and a drain on a nations ability to support. The wider picture of the Earth and other of God's creatures is much more important than them or their illegitemate bastards.
killemwitdakno 5 years, 6 months ago
Well there goes letting off duty police take guns home to protect civilians. Rme.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 6 months ago
If this guy is a defence force marine exactly what do they gain by acting like he's not? It's probably the same head in the sand policy that didn't detect that something was wrong with him and those officers torturing people at CDU.
Why the need for the spin??
Giordano 5 years, 6 months ago
There is no doubt that the current Minister of National Security is the best one so far,in the history of this young nation; we have experienced a dramatic decrease in the hammering sound of guns in the different neighborhoods in N.P. And the perspective of improvement in public safety seems to be more credible under his watch. Things(rhetoric), regarding his posture about corruption,at the beginning of his mandate as a National security minister,supported by some,visible,other members of then newly elected members of cabinet,gave some hope to a broad part of the Bahamian Society which was quickly disappointed by lack of follow up in spite of so many evidence (of corruption) found. Not everyone was hoping a stop regarding impunity about a magnified abuse to the public pulse because of the new pledge, recited so many times at the inauguration ceremony at the governor's house. It was a deceitful pledge,orchestrated by the current P.M. which officially authorized any member of gov.-cabinet : Not to expose the wrongdoing committed by any minister of this newly elected Minnis-lead FNM government. This event set a very bad prognosis and gave continuity to more abuse toward the cookie -drum also with a big time impunity. The real pledge to the nation is SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER PlEDGE and should be defended by any member of constitutional security institutions or any citizen of The Bahamas.
John 5 years, 6 months ago
So did this killing make the front cover of Time yet? And who will be wearing the death mask this time?
Godson 5 years, 6 months ago
Could I ask that we look back three days or so before this unfortunate incident?
Is it possible for us to ask the question why was the assailant so purposed to shoot Petty Officer Perpall?
What caused the deterioration in the relationship between the two officers? Can it be that Officer Perpall pressed his weight of authority over the young man/gunman too much and to such an extent that the young man lost control and was resolve to take matters into his own hands.
That being said, the young man, as so many others view, might have felt that they cannot go to any other persons in authority to fairly resolve their conflict.
LET US STEP BACK AND TRY TO APPRECIATE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO WHICH THE YOUNG MAN WAS MADE TO SUFFER AND ENDURE AS A RESULT OF SOME HIGH HANDEDNESS FROM HIS SENIOR OFFICER.
in any event, the young man was not of a develop mind to coop with the situation. His resolve was the annihilation of Officer Perpall.
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