Serious Crime Plummets Across TCI Despite Latest GT Murder

Despite the murder of Ashanio Robinson in Grand Turk, serious crime has fallen sharply across the Turks and Caicos Islands this year, with official figures showing substantial declines in every major violent crime category measured.

Robinson was found unresponsive near the Overback Basketball Court in Grand Turk during the early hours of the morning.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) said officers responded to reports of an incident in the area and found Robinson unresponsive when they arrived.

The District Medical Officer attended the scene and pronounced him dead.

Detectives from the Serious Crime Unit, supported by Forensic Support and other specialist resources, are investigating the circumstances surrounding Robinson's murder and working to identify those responsible.

Police said additional resources have been deployed to assist with the investigation.

The latest killing comes against a backdrop of significantly lower violent crime across the territory compared with last year.

Figures covering January 1 to August 5, 2026, show 121 serious violent crimes were recorded, compared with 204 during the same period in 2025. That is 83 fewer offences, representing an overall reduction of 41 percent.

Murders showed one of the most dramatic declines in the comparative figures. Three murders were recorded through August 5, compared with 24 during the corresponding period last year - a reduction of 21, or 88 percent.

Robinson's murder should be viewed separately from that comparison if it occurred after the August 5 reporting cutoff.

Attempted murder recorded an even larger percentage decline, falling from five cases during the comparable period last year to zero this year, a 100 percent reduction.

I.G.B. harm offences dropped by 83 percent, from 12 cases last year to two this year, while kidnappings declined from 11 to three, representing a 73 percent reduction.

Robbery remains by far the most frequently recorded offence among the six violent crime categories in the report, but it also registered a significant decline.

There were 103 robberies recorded through August 5, compared with 140 during the same period in 2025 - 37 fewer offences, or a 26 percent reduction. In terms of the actual number of cases, robbery recorded the largest decrease.

Aggravated burglary fell from 12 cases to 10, a decline of 17 percent.

The statistics therefore show that every violent crime category measured in the report declined compared with the same period in 2025, with none recording a year-to-date increase.

Authorities also reported that 10 firearms have been taken off the streets of the Turks and Caicos Islands so far this year.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Robinson's murder continues.

The RTCIPF extended condolences to his family, friends and loved ones and stressed that violent crime has no place in communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information or video footage, to come forward. Police said even seemingly minor information could prove important to the investigation.

Anyone with information can contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477, or submit information through the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

Police said further information on Robinson's murder will be released when operationally appropriate.