Turks and Caicos Records 7th Murder Since January

The Turks and Caicos Islands has recorded its seventh murder for the year after the bullet-riddled body of a man was found in the hotbed Five Cays community on Tuesday night.

Up to post time the identity of the victim was not released, and officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) spent the majority of the night scouring the scene for clues in order to nab the assailants of the crime.

According to the RTCIPF, at about 9:38p.m. numerous calls, made to the Police Control Room, reported that a barrage of explosions of what appeared to be firearm discharges were heard at a location in Five Cays.

Officers, who were dispatched to the scene, stumbled upon the lifeless body of a man lying in a pool of blood, which appeared to have been caused from gunshot wounds.

The recent escalation in gun crimes has sparked the National Security Council to hold a special meeting on Monday, to devise ways to stem the re-emergence of bloodletting by the gun…a stark reminder of last year’s flare-up with almost three dozen people were murdered.

Prior to Tuesday night’s killing, 22-year-old hospitality worker Erod Chaute of Five Cays, was shot and killed on Sunday night at 11:56 pm., in the Bight. His assailants attacked him as he left work and entered his car.

On Wednesday, 25-year-old Karo Outten was shot and killed while in a car on the premises of an auto parts store and tire shop along the South Dock Main Road.

On Sunday, May 7, police, after being alerted, stumbled upon the decomposing of Haitian national Edrin Siffard, of Five Cays. Later examination of the body proved that the victim died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

The plan of action from the National Security Council Meeting included:

· Increased Police supervision including a redeployment of officers as necessary.

· The addition of seven experienced officers to the Tactical Unit and two experienced officers to operational response within the next 10 days.

· The immediate deployment of the 18 trained Police recruits to various areas of the Police Force when they return to the TCI in the next 14 days following their graduation on 22 June 2023.

· Continued work on the special investigations into the 2022 murders by the Criminal Investigation Unit assisted by UK detectives.

· Special operations targeted at illegal drugs and guns.

· Continued work on the RTCIPF witness protection program.

· A press briefing by the RTCIPF to update the public on matters related to serious crime.