For the first time in Bahamian history the murder count hit triple digits after five violent killings over the weekend. The murders have pushed the already record-breaking count to 100 and there are still three months before the end of the year.
In addition to the five killed over the weekend five others were also wounded by gunshots, including a 19-month girl who was in a parked car with her parents in front of their Nassau Village home. Reportedly, a vehicle pulled up behind them and opened fire on the family. All three were hit but survived.
At this time last year the murder count was 68, which means that it has increased by 47 per cent. There were 94 murders in total for 2010. The Bahamas has broken four murder records in five years. .
In what was probably meant to be a comforting statement but was actually quite alarming, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said that if it were not for the efforts of the police the crime situation could be a lot worse.
Between Thursday and Saturday there were seven homicides leading activists to call for a state of emergency to be declared and curfews to be introduced in Nassau.
On Thursday, September 15 an unidentified man was shot. Also on Thursday, Clayton Smith of Ridgeland Park was shot.
On Friday, September 16 – the first official murder of the weekend occurred at about 9pm on Friday in the Nirvana Beach area on West Bay Street. Police believe the unidentified male victim was Haitian and had been riding a bicycle when he was shot to death.
On Saturday, September 17, there were four murders occurring in separate incidents.
Damien Bowe, 29, was shot in the Kemp Road area.
Another man was found stabbed to death on Cordeaux Avenue.
Police are also investigating the stabbing death of a handicapped man in his early 40s found at the Centre Burial Ground on Dowdeswell Street.
The 100th murder victim was one of two men who had been shot in a car on Roland Street, Ridgeland Park.
Police have not released the identities of all the victims at this time.
