In one of the bloodiest battles in Nassau, eight people were shot, one fatally, at a nightclub on East Bay Street. The shootout erupted at Baller’s Nightclub located at the foot of the original Paradise Island Bridge – dangerously close to the tourist mecca.
The incident has prompted a manhunt for known criminal Stephen “Die” Stubbs and members of his criminal network.
Initially the bloody massacre appeared to be a feud between two rival gangs. In fact it was a clash between two organized crime groups. Die Stubbs’ criminal gang was reportedly hanging out at a bar when they became engaged in a fight with another criminal organization over stolen drugs. It is very difficult and very dangerous to prosecute members of the mob, and people are afraid to testify against organized crime.
This incident comes shortly after the recent release of the United States Department of State issuance of a damning report, stating that crime in Nassau is at a “critical” level and warning tourists that criminals are now operating in tourist areas.
In the last few weeks crime has surged significantly skyrocketing the already alarming murder rate, which stands at 60 for the year.
At present police have 22 men in custody, ranging in ages from 17 to 54, in connection with the Ballers Nightclub shootout.
Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said that he expects the violence to continue.
