Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters speaking at the scene on Thursday night.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLICE on Friday continued to investigate the murder of Leon Griffin, husband of former Cabinet Minister Melanie Griffin and former Bahamas Taxicab Union president.
He was shot in the head outside his home on Thursday night.
Mrs Griffin found him slumped over in his vehicle shortly before 8pm, and police said while the incident appeared to be a robbery, the motive cannot be officially determined at this time as they were still in the early stages of their investigations.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said on Friday that police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the incident. However, he had previously said that police are canvassing the area's CCTV footage to assist in the investigation.
Mr Griffin's unexpected death sent shockwaves throughout the community, prompting several high-profile members of the Progressive Liberal Party to visit the Griffin home on Thursday night in a show of support.
Following this, on Friday, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he was shocked by the news and expressed condolences on behalf of his party.
“My family and members of my party, the Free National Movement, are shocked following the news of the tragic loss of businessman Leon Griffin, the husband of beloved former minister of Social Services and Member of Parliament for the Yamacraw constituency, Melanie Griffin,” he said.
“We wish to express our sincere condolences to Melanie and the entire Griffin family as they're all in our thoughts and prayers. May God grant them peace in the midst of this tragedy and most unfortunate turn of events.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by State Minister for Education and present Yamacraw MP Zane Lightbourne. Mrs Griffin had previously served as MP for the constituency under the Christie administration.
In a message posted on Facebook on Friday, Mr Lightbourne said: “The Bahamas community, and members of the Yamacraw constituency in particular, are saddened by this tragedy and will keep the family in prayers. May his soul rest in peace."
Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller-Brice added: “On behalf of my family and I, I wish to extend condolences to Mrs Melanie Griffin and her entire family on the devastating and brutal loss of her beloved husband. May God’s peace encamp around her and His hands of tender love hold her tight."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on Thursday pledged to use all of the country’s resources to bring a resolution to this “heinous” crime.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the brutal homicide of Leon Griffin, the husband of my colleague and friend in front of their home tonight. I express my condolences to Melanie, his children and the wider family,” the prime minister said.
“I ask for our supporters and all citizens across the length and breadth of our country to pray for the repose of his soul, to pray for Melanie and the family."
For his part, former Prime Minister Perry Christie described the incident as tragic.
“. . Melanie and her husband didn’t deserve this. It’s another example of the great challenge we have in the country of being able to deal with issues of criminality as it manifests itself," he told reporters at the scene.
“So it’s a time for us to share in the anguish of the occasion and to hope the authorities of the country are able to bring a resolution to this matter.
Family members also reacted to Mr Griffin’s death on social media on Friday, asking the public to keep them in their prayers.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 502-9991, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.
Comments
ted4bz 2 years, 12 months ago
Can they identify people wearing mask and hoodies just as easy?
tribanon 2 years, 12 months ago
There are lots of angry and destitute people in our country today with absolutely nothing more to lose and no hope of ever seeing a better tomorrow. Thanks to decades of corruption at the highest levels of the elitist political ruling class, too many Bahamians have lost the ability to support their families, have never received an adequate education, have no access to healthcare, and so on and so on. They've literally lost everything. But unfortunately many of them do have easy access to firearms and that presents a most dangerous situation.
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 12 months ago
Agreed. When Venezuela first erupted into chaos a couple years ago as their dollar devalued, it wasnt hard to invision a similar situation here. When people cant feed themselves they become mindless zombies with one objective and by any means necessary. We are one disaster away from this scenario. Oil spill, pandemic, hurricane, global boycott. Zombie apocalypse
The people getting into politics to bite off chunks from the treasury dont realize they could be engineering their and their own family's demise. In literal terms.. That do unto others mandate is so profound, you could literally read it, youre doing it to yourself. starve them, you starve. Steal from them youve robbed yourself
birdiestrachan 2 years, 12 months ago
There is never, ever an excuse to kill another human being
sheeprunner12 2 years, 12 months ago
Too many high profile and PEPs are killed in this country with no plausible reason ...... It causes ppl to resort to "conspiracy theories" based on social links.
This case is no different. We await the PF report
tribanon 2 years, 12 months ago
Yup, just add this case to the huge pile of PF reports we are awaiting, many of which have been outstanding for decades. Just another one of the many reasons why vigilante law is taking over our country.
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 12 months ago
A man was shot in the head. twice.
The Police spokesman comes out and says nothing to see here folks all the evidence says this is a robbery
His business partner was killed 4 months ago.
Also shot in the head
The man and his wife are currently being sued by an intl jewelry dealer for 34 million dollars
The intl jeweler said he's desperate because he's being hounded by people he in turn owes money to
I dont know about conspiracies.I hope the police have moved Mrs Griffin and her daughters to some witness protection program
Disgruntledoptimist 2 years, 12 months ago
Agreed! I would expect this to be the first avenue they explore. Quite likely a hitman...
John 2 years, 12 months ago
There is/were many unsolved murders over the past few years even a member of the military being executed at government house. And the Bahamians who were massacred in broad daylight and in the heat of the noon day. So here’s wishing you all luck if this murder is solved successfully. Not to say the men and the women of the police force are not capable, but it is apparently big bucks and a strong element of undesirables may be involved and make go to unlimited extremes to ensure the killers remain UN revealed or is killed before trial
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