In response to a recent double murder near the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales multiple agencies, including the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force met to discuss security.
The agencies included the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Air Safety Support International (ASSI), airport stakeholders, and senior officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The meeting was held on Tuesday, October 24, at the Walter E. Cox Snr. Administration Building.
The objective of the meeting was to address the incident and to devise strategies to prevent future occurrences.
The shooting incident, which occurred on October 19, 2023, shortly before 6 pm, raised concerns regarding the safety and security of the airport and the surrounding areas. However, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police officials clarified that the incident was not a threat against the airport itself, but rather a targeted attack on an individual.
The authorities believe that the incident is part of an ongoing conflict between various gangs in the region.
The primary focus of the meeting was to establish an open and constructive dialogue among the participating agencies and stakeholders. The collaboration aimed to brainstorm effective strategies and solutions to enhance security measures and ensure the safety of the community, employees, and visitors in the vicinity of the airport.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority emphasized its commitment to maintaining a secure environment, and, with the support and cooperation of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the agencies involved are actively working to implement measures that will prevent future incidents of this nature. It declared that the safety of the community remains a top priority for all parties involved in this collaborative effort.
Jumilla Isma, 24, and Mike Forbes 19, both of Five Cays in Providenciales were shot and killed on the evening of October 19th. Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam , who weighed in at the time said: “I am appalled at the nature of yesterday’s fatal incident. Such disregard for human life causes irreparable damage and consequential impact to the safety and security of our islands.
“I want to reassure the public of the multi-agency enforcement efforts to protect and secure our communities. I urge anyone with information to contact the police to assist their investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Acting Commissioner Adams, whose men are piecing the incident together in a bid to nab the guilty parties, stated: “The Force is taking every action including deploying all requried resources to bring those responsible to justice.
“Additional patrols are in place to ensure safety and security across all communities of the TCI. I wish to give residents and visitors the reassurance that their safety is our number one priority.”
He added: “Based on our preliminary investigation, this was a targeted incident.” Over the past days you would have seen an increased police and partner agencies presence within various communities. We have placed a high priority on covering several districts and conducting operations to derail and dismantle criminal activities.”
In the meantime, Commissioner Adams is asking members of the public who have video footage of the incident to urgently contact the police.
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