“It is a travesty, the brazen act of violence that occurred in the vicinity of the Grand Turk Parade Grounds, during the HJ Robinson High School's Sports Day yesterday, February 8th,” said Jarrett Forbes Director of Sports.
“Such an act resulted in the loss of life and a traumatic experience for those present and loved ones connected to both the victim and attendees. This is an abhorrent and vicious attack on our social fabric,” Forbes said.
While extending the Sports Commission’s sympathy towards the family of the victim, who was killed in a hail of bullets, Forbes described the act might have a rippling effect on students and teachers at the Parade Ground, who were staging their sports day at the time of incident.
“The Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission (TCISC) offers its condolences to the family of the deceased and is sensitive to the trauma experienced by the students, teachers, and other community members.
“While the School Sports Day occurred at a facility managed by the TCISC, the event was hosted by the HJ Robinson High School. We can confirm, however, that a reasonable security strategy was implemented by the school's administration, based on the nature and timing of the event.
Crowd control measures were in place, school security was on site and police officers were conducting periodic stops throughout the day. The TCISC gives credit to the school's administration for their rapid response to the incident.
“The Commission has an aggressive security risk strategy to safeguard athletes, officials, and spectators at 'major' sports events. This security strategy includes a strong continuous presence of the Royal TCI Police Force (RTCIPF), both on the inside of the venue and patrolling the surrounding area; professional security services; screening of all persons entering the premises; crowd control strategies; strictly enforced venue rules; and lock down or evacuation plans.
“We must however be judicious as to what is the risk assessment at a smaller sports event such as a School Sports Day, and we must determine what reasonable level of security is required to safeguard the students and visiting spectators. We are prepared to meet with the various school administrators and the RTCIPF to conduct a risk assessment of school or community sports events,” Forbes said.
Forbes said the school community was still in shock from the incident, pointing out that his department was committed to throw its weight behind the safeguarding of its stakeholders.
“We cannot overstate the shock experienced by the school, community, attendees, and event hosts that such a violent act could take place not just in the surrounding area of the school but also in the middle of the day, while a school event is taking place.
“The TCISC is committed to working with all parties to safeguard our stakeholders and we encourage everyone to assist in the investigation of this crime,” Forbes said.
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