Suspect in Hookah Night Club Mass Shooting Arrested in Dominican Republic, Charged by Local Police

A key suspect in the July mass shooting at the Island Hookah Lounge has been repatriated to the Turks and Caicos Islands and formally charged by police.

Authorities confirmed that JAEL De JESUS RIGBY, 19, of Providenciales, was deported from the Dominican Republic on 16 November 2025. Upon landing at Howard Hamilton International Airport, he was immediately taken into police custody.

Jael Rigby was caught in the Dominican Republic and deported to the TCI.

Rigby, who had been detained by law enforcement officials in the Dominican Republic, was charged shortly after midday today (21 November 2025) by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Serious Crime Unit.

He faces the following charges:

• Murder

• Discharging a Firearm

• Conspiracy to Possess Firearms with Intent to Injure

The charges relate to the 27 July 2025 shooting incident at the Island Hookah Lounge, which left the community shaken and prompted an intensive police investigation.

Reports are that a group of heavily-armed men stormed the Leeward Highway night spot at about minutes to 3a.m., and opened fire on patrons, The political directorate and the police high command visited the gunshot victims of Sunday morning’s mass shooting at the Island Hookah Cigar Lounge, an attack that left three people dead and at least nine others wounded.

The RTCIPF reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing offenders involved in violent crime and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Members of the public are urged to report any information on criminal activity by contacting the nearest police station, calling 911, or reaching the Serious Crime Unit directly at 231-1842. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or via the Crime Stoppers P3 app.