HOUSE&HOME
BROTHER TELLS OF FRIENDS’ LAST MOMENTS
2 dead, 5 hurt in mass shooting as pair ate together
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
CHILDHOOD friends
Markentash Saintil and Eden Louis had just finished eating KFC when a burst of gunfire tore throughtheirfriend’sneighbourhood on Saturday, killing both and leaving five others injured.
The attack by two suspects armed with a high-powered rifle and a handgun was one of two deadly shootings over the weekend, each leaving heartbroken families desperate for answers and justice. The brother of one of the victims was also shot intheincident—andspoke to The Tribune yesterday about the attack.
The teenagers’ deaths
SHOOTING - SEE PAGES TWO & THREE
WONG SEEKS PLP NOD IN ST ANNE’S
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
KENO Wong, former chairman of the National Neighbourhood Watch Council, confirmed yesterday he is seeking the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) nomination for St Anne’s, a constituency long considered a Free NationalMovement(FNM) stronghold.
Mr Wong, 51, who has lived in the area since 2004, cited his deep roots and
love for the community as motivation to enter frontline politics. He said his time there has given him a clear understanding of its needs, challenges, and opportunities. He acknowledged the constituency’s decadeslong loyalty to the FNM but said he believes it is time for change and fresh leadership.
RESIDENTS have expressed their frustration after continuing prolonged power outages and water supply problems on both Abaco and
The ongoing disruptions are severely impacting
EDEN LOUIS, top, and Markentash Saintil.
TWO men were killed and five more injured in a mass shooting on Robinson Road on Saturday. In the aftermath of a shooting, a woman fainted and had to be carried away from the scene, below.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Police suspect attack gang-related
came as both were preparing to celebrate upcoming birthdays — Saintil’s 20th on August 13 and Louis’ 19th on October 21.
Police suspect the incident may have been gang-related but could not confirm who the intended targets were. Sources told The Tribune that some victims are suspected of having connectionstotheHaitianZoePound gang.Twomembersofarivalgangare being sought by police.
“Certainly, we are in the infancy stages of this investigation,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Anton Rahming said at the scene of the incident. “We will be looking into the matter. We will spend our efforts.”
According to police, a group of people was sitting next to a car on Robertha Drive, Ridgeland Park, when gunmen pulled up and opened fire.
Louis, 18, who was out on bail for stealing offences, and 19-year-old Saintil, died at the scene, while five others aged 16 to 25 — including one also out on bail — were hospitalised with gunshot wounds.
Saintil’s brother, Widnyi, was released from hospital yesterday. The condition of the other victims remains unknown.
Widnyi — who was shot in the wrist —ispuzzledbythemotivebehindthe violence.
The 25-year-old said the group had been hanging out outside a friend’s home in the area moments before the chaos.
Saintil sat in the driver’s seat of a parked car chatting with his brother outside, while Louis stood nearby with several others.
Moments later, horror struck as a silver Nissan Cube sped down the road, and someone jumped out, opening fire.
“All of us break off running,” Widnyi told The Tribune, hours after being released from hospital yesterday. “I didn’t even know that I got hit. I went in the backyard, and I stand in the backyard.”
When the gunfire stopped, Widnyi rushed back to the car — only to find hisworstfearsconfirmed.
“I gone to see if my brother was
aliveandIwascallinghisnamebuthe wasn’t even moving,” he said.
Louis was found lying lifeless nearbyafterbeingshotwhiletryingto flee the hail of gunfire.
His mother was inconsolable at the scene on Saturday, screaming in Creole with her arms outstretched and her head pressed to the ground.
When morticians moved to remove her son’s body, she ran past the crime tape and later fainted, prompting two mentocarryheraway.
Her husband, Renauld Louis, told The Tribune the family is distraught, describing his son, a recent graduate, as a “good boy”.
He had tried to get him hired at his job, where he usually worked during the summers, but without a passport, Louis couldn’t take the position.
“My bad luck is this year, the company don’t want to take him without a passport,” he said, “because he applied forhiscitizenshipbutdidn’tgethispassportyet.”
On the day of the shooting, the father-of-four recalled how two young men had visited their home earlier, asking for Louis. His wife told them he was sleeping and they left, only to return later.
Thenexttime,Louiswasawakeand went outside to speak with them.
“When he woke up, my wife say, ‘you just wake up, you ain’t brush your teeth yet. I gone cook something for you. Come, come, eat the food, you ain’t brush your teeth yet.”
Louis replied: “Mummy, I coming.
I just going in the front there. I ain’t goingfar.”
A few minutes later, Louis’ mother heard gunshots ringing and knew her son had been killed.
Mr Louis said he knew his son had been charged in the past but believed it was a case of mistaken identity.
For Widnyi, who said he never had anyruninswiththelaw,itwashisfirst time being caught in a shooting.
He admitted his brother once faced a stealing charge, but said it was dismissed.
“He said he was going to buy me a pair of tennis and some pair of jeans,” Widnyi recalled of their final conversation. The two had been planning to move to another island for work, eager for a fresh start.
Police have not made any arrests but say they will not rest until those responsible are brought before the courts.
The shooting — one of the most violent attacks in the country’s history — occurred hours before police responded to a second fatal shooting near Superwash on Nassau Street.
According to reports, a man and a woman were exiting the wash house and were about to enter a vehicle when a lone gunman approached and fired shots, fatally wounding the man.
The victim is believed to be in his early 30s.
These latest killings have pushed the country’s murder count to 56 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.
BODY IN CAR CONFIRMED TO BE ELKINO MILLER
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Reporter
NEARLY a year after burned remains were found in a car on Grand Bahama, police have finally identified the victim as missing Elkino Miller. Foul play is suspected and the matter is under investigation, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle told The Tribune “No suspects are in custody at this time,” he said. “As soon as more
will be updated.”
Miller, 49, was last seen on September 3, 2024, prompting family members to report him missing.
Days after a missing person alert was issued for Miller, police discovered charred remains inside a burnt-out vehicle hidden in bushes off the Grand Bahama Highway in East Grand Bahama on September 12, 2024. However, police said the long delay in confirming Miller’s identity was due to waiting on DNA test results.
LEADERS RESPOND TO MASS SHOOTING
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A WEEKEND of gun violence drew sharp reactions from political and religious leaders yesterday, with a prominent pastor describing the country as a “war zone” and urging unity to “fight this demon”. Their comments came afterpolicereportedthree homicides over the weekend, including a mass shootingthatlefttwodead and five others injured. A third man was killed in a separate shooting hours lateronSaturday.
BishopWalterHanchell, in a post on Facebook, yesterday condemned the latest killings as “unacceptable”, saying the time for actionwasneeded.
Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard also expressed deep concern over the state of crime in the country, saying he lacks confidence that legislators will make a difference in the fight against crime.
Prime Minister Philip Davis credited police for theireffortstokeepcrime down but blamed the recent violence on a “few individuals” determined to “terrorise” the streets. He also issued a stern warning to those harbouringcriminals,urgingthem to surrender these individuals to the police. Bishop Hanchell said more needs to be done.
“Punishment is far
too lenient to bring any change in the behaviour of the ruthless thugs that terrorise the Bahamas,” Bishop Hanchell said.
“Rehabilitation has not been effective. We live in alawlesscountry.Corruption is rife. Those wishing to remain silent and do nothing may choose to do so for whatever reason. I am very disturbed, upset and angry at what is happenning in The Bahamas today.”
He said while crime and other ills are rampant,manychurchleaders remain silent instead of becoming the agents of change and appealed to the religious community to do more. He added: “I cannot rest while our young men are slaughtering each other on our streets daily and our children are being sexually assaulted.Ourwomenare being beaten and raped and incest is on the rise. Suicideshaveincreased.”
Bishop Hanchell continued: “Poverty has increased, homeless mothers with their children are living in their cars or abandoned buildings. This is happening more frequently than at any other time in our nation’s history.”
“An increasing amount of mentally challenged men who are dishevelled and really dirty, continue to roam our streets like animals. They are constantly being neglected and rejected by the state and church. This is shameful.”
ACP ANTON RAHMING, flankedbyACPZhivagoDames,ChiefSuperintendentChrislyn Skippingsandotherseniorpoliceofficers,speakstoreportersatthesceneofthemass shooting.
Photos: Dante Carrer/TribuneStaff
Junkanoo consultation starts today, says govt
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Staff Reporter
PUBLIC consultations are set to begin today on the proposed National Junkanoo Authority Bill, with Latrae Rahming, director of communications at the Office of the Prime Minister, expressing optimism all parties will find common ground to allow this year’s parades to proceed.
“There will be no progress without contention, and the contention is only evident of a misunderstanding that needs to have product clarity,” Mr Rahmingsaid.
“Idobelievethatwe’llbe able to satisfy that tension when both parties could have a true appreciation of theobjectives.Ialsobelieve that what is very clear is that the Junkanoo community wants to be reassured that the government has its bestinterestathand.”
His comments come as
‘...What is very clear is that the Junkanoo community wants to be reassured that the government has its best interest at hand.’
the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) has suspended all parade activities in protest against the proposed bill. But the move has stirred backlash from some within the Junkanoo community, with some members accusing the JCNP of acting unilaterally and without broad consultation. Meanwhile, some critics have linked the bill to an attempt to centralise control and roll back the organisation’s self-governance amid the ongoing
dispute between two factions of the Valley Boys Junkanoogroup One faction, the “World Famous Valley Boys” is led by Brian Adderley while the other - the “Way Forward Valley Boys” - is headed by Trevor Davis, brother of Prime Minister PhilipDavis.
But, Mr Rahming has insisted the draft legislation is not a reaction to the split.
“Letmebeclearinsaying that the bill in itself is not being designed as a resolution to a dispute between two fractions of the Valley Boys,” Mr Rahming said, addressingspeculationlinking the bill to the internal conflict.
“This bill is not a new idea. It has been something that has been in existence from for the last several years,wehadaprocess.”
Acknowledging misconceptions surrounding the bill’s purpose, Mr Rahming said the government’s public consultation will
GLOVER-ROLLE: WE WANT VIEWS OF PUBLIC ON MATERNITY LEAVE
provide an opportunity for candid discussions and clarification. The session, scheduled to begin at 9am today, will be televised on ZNS, streamed online, broadcastliveonradio,and accessibleviaZoom.
The bill proposes a 15-member governing body appointed by the minister, representing stakeholders from New Providence, Grand Bahama, the Family Islands, and cultural institutions. It would regulate national parades, administer funding, issue licenses, manage a National Junkanoo Fund, and create for-profit subsidiaries. The bill would also dissolve the defunct National Junkanoo Committee and install local committees across the archipelago.
The JCNP, which has managed the New Providence parades since 2004, strongly objects to the bill’s scopeandtiming,andquestions the motives behind it. Still, the government said it willmoveforward.
ST ANNE’S REGARDED AS FNM STRONGHOLD
WONG from page one
“For 50 years plus, St Anne’s (Montague) has remained steadfast in its votingpattern,butIbelieve it’s time for new leadership and new focus for all,” he told The Tribune. “As your potential representative, I, Keno Wong, promise to be aservantleader,listeningto your concerns, and working tirelessly to address the needsofourcommunity.”
If chosen as the party’s standard bearer, Mr Wong said he plans to focus on neighbourhood development, youth outreach, fostering healthy initiatives, enhancing educational opportunities, and providing more support to senior citizens.
He added: “Guided by my faith with God and driven by my passion for public service, I aim to break the status quo and bring fresh perspectives to Parliament. Let’s break the 50 year plus hold and forge a new path forward, together.”
Since expressing interest
in St Anne’s, Mr Wong said he’s frequently asked why he’s targeting the FNM stronghold, but noted that hewelcomesthechallenge. He recalled that when he joined the council, the body lacked by-laws and a constitution, but he helped address this and secured membership in the affiliated US Neighbourhood WatchProgramme.
Mr Wong, a businessman and founding member of the council, has been outspoken in the fight against crime, at times criticising the Royal Bahamas Police Force(RBPF).
In January 2024, he publicly complained about the deteriorating relationship between the council and the RBPF under Clayton Fernander’s leadership, blaming it for increased crime in several communities.
The strain has since been resolved.
If selected, Mr Wong will face Adrian White, who was recently renominated as the FNM’s candidate for theconstituency.
ofLabourPiaGlover-RollespeakingatamaritimegraduationeventonFriday.
By JADE RUSSELL
Staff Reporter
LABOUR Minister
Pia Glover-Rolle said the government wants public feedback on extending maternityleave She said government will soon begin public consultations. So far, focus groups, stakeholder meetings, and research have been conducted, receiving positive feedback.
“Our next step is public consultation. We don’t only
want to speak in the silos of employee and employer organisations, but we want to hear what the public has to say about it,” she told reportersonthesidelinesof aneventonFriday.
“Maternityleaveissomething that we’re getting good feedback on, positive feedback on, across the board, it seems from the stakeholders, that is something that everyone thinks is required. It’s necessary determining that benchmark we are we’re getting closertothat.”
Under the Employment Act, Sections 17 and 18 provide for 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. To qualify, a woman must have been employed by the same employer for at least12monthsandisentitled to maternity pay only once every three years.
Additional unpaid leave of up to six weeks may be granted if there is “any illness arising out of such confinement”. Discussions on extending maternity leave have focused on allowing
mothers more time with their babies during early development, especially breastfeeding mothers. The extension could also support mothers facing postpartum challenges, physical pain, and align the country’s labour laws with international standards.
The National Tripartite Council (NTC), which resolves all labour-related matters in The Bahamas, has been actively involved in discussions and recommendations
on maternity leave. The council has considered input from stakeholders, including the Bahamas Breastfeeding Association, while weighing the economic impact on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
InastatementonThursday, the NTC said the details of the proposed maternity leave extension have not yet been finalised. The NTC said the official policy will be announced
jointly with the Ministry of Labour and the Public Service once consultation is complete.
Among the key issues to be decided is who will bear the cost of any extended maternityleave.
Ms Glover-Rolle said the existing payment structure, shared between employers and the National Insurance Board(NIB),willremain.
“As we go to public consultation in a few weeks, we’ll follow the same model that we have now,” shesaid.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
Mother in tears as mystery remains over missing son
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MOTHER broke down in tears as a coroner’s jury returned an open verdict in the decade-old missing person case of CharltonMorley.
Michelle Gray maintains that her son was killed by gangmembers.
Family attorney Glendon Rolle comforted her as she cried out she had been denied justice and her son hadbeenkilled.
The five-person jury could have returned an alternative finding of death byunknowncauses.
Speaking with The Tribune on the courthouse steps on Friday afternoon, Ms Gray said that Sherene Williams, her son’s girlfriend at the time of his
disappearance, failed to appear in court to give testimony despite being summoned.
Ms Gray previously testified her son had been murdered and said before his disappearance on May 1, 2015, he had been afraid for his life. She said she was told by Ms Williams that Morley had been picked up by his friends, Leo Jones and Levardo Whylly, that evening and had not been seen since.
Ms Gray said her son seemed very afraid and shaky the last time she saw him. She said he was afraid for his life. She also said hersontoldthatifanything
BPL: LOAD SHEDDING AFTER FAULT ON WILSON CITY UNIT
POWER from page one
life, local commerce, and tourism, leading to calls for urgentgovernmentaction.
Roscoe Thompson, chairman of the Marsh Harbour/Spring City Township, painted a grim picture of the current electricity situation. He pointed to a drastic reduction in available power generation capacity, questioningwhyonlyoneortwo of the island’s four 12-megawatt generators remain operational.
“Whathashappenedthat we’re down to one or two now? Why are the other two not operational? Have they been cannibalising parts from one to keep the otherrunning?”heasked.
Mr Thompson criticised the government’s handling of power, saying, “This administration said they had the answers, but we’re no better off than we were fouryearsago.”
He detailed how outages in Marsh Harbour and surrounding communities last for hours at a time, with some residents enduring four to five hours in the dark.
These interruptions affect everything from ability to process credit card payments without standby generators to daily routines involving cooking and watersupply.
“It’s frustrating that BPL doesnotprovideclearcommunication or adhere to scheduled load shedding,” he added. Mr Thompson called for full transparency on the status of the Wilson City power station and urged the government to disclose exactly how many generators are functional and why repairs have been delayed.
On Harbour Island, Ricky Mackey, former Member of Parliament and the FNM candidate for North Eleuthera, described an infrastructure crisis
athistoriclevels.
He said residents and businesseshavebeenforced to bear extraordinary costs installing generators and water treatment systems— investments he argued shouldnotbenecessary.
“This is the worst it has ever been,” he said, recalling a massive demonstrationlastyearthatunited residents across political and social lines, protesting theconstantwaterandelectricityfailures.
Despite frequent governmentannouncementsabout upgrades and new policies, Mr Mackey said the reality onthegroundisbleak.
He said: “The water goes off every day for long periods in different parts of the island.Wegetnoticesabout maintenance so often, yet the system remains unreliable.”
He said he personally had to replace major components on generators at his home and business multipletimeswithinweeks-as have other businesses such ashotelsandfoodstores.
Mr Mackey lamented the ongoing economic strain, saying: “When you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on generators, that’s money taken away fromexpandingyourinventory or improving your business.”
Mr Mackey called on the government to make multi-million-dollar investments to bring stability to the islands’ essential services, stressing that Harbour Island and North Eleuthera contribute significantly to the national economy through tourism, agriculture, and fisheries.
Hecriticisedofficialswho denyordownplaythecrisis, saying: “Don’t claim we don’t have a problem when everyone knows we do. We deserve better treatment andrealresults.”
The Harbour Island power plant, upgraded in 2015, required a complete
replacement of generators less than three years later, underscoring ongoing challenges in maintaining infrastructure. Recently, a compromised roof at the power station caused a total island blackout during heavy rain, an incident Mr Mackey said was unacceptable given the frequent maintenancenoticesissued.
Last night, Bahamas Power and Light said its teams were working “diligently” working on the issue.
The company said “inclement weather” caused an interruption to power on Friday at 7.50am, withpowerrestored“within 35 minutes”. The company said on Saturday, a fault on a unit at the Wilson City PowerStationreducedgenerationby3-4MW,resulting inloadshedding.
In a statement, the company said: “Crews immediately initiated repairs, a process that involves engine cooldown, inspection, disassembly, bearing replacement and gradual load testing. By 10amonSunday,August10, powerhadbeenrestoredto 80percentofaffectedareas, with final restoration completed in Dundas Town at 1.15pm.”
The company said to units are in service, with two others undergoing repairs. One of those is expected to return to service within ten days, and the other is undergoing an overhaul due to be completedbymid-September.
BPL added that three Caterpillar generating units have been boughtfor Man-O-War Cay, Hope Town and Guana Cay. The Man-O-War installation began on Saturday, with the others to follow its completion.
BPLsaiddelaysinrepairs had been caused by “factors beyond our control”, includingHurricaneDorian and pandemic supply chain issues.
ABACO MAN INJURED IN SHOOTING
ANAbacomanisinhospital nursing injuries after beingshotoutsidehishome onFriday. Police responded to the shooting on Concord Drive shortlybefore9.30pm. Initial
Acting on information, police arrested two men, aged 46 and 35, in connectionwiththeincident.
should happen to him that shecouldbuyhishouse.
Ms Gray said in the month leading up to his disappearance Morley appeared uneasy, and that he went to the East Street South Police Station and reportedmembersofagang wanted to kill him. However, she said her son never toldherwhytheywantedto killhim.
Morley had been on bail atthetimeofhisdisappearance for an armed robbery charge in 2013 and had been wearing a monitoring device. A police officer testified that on the day of his disappearanceMorleymonitoring device went offline andwasneverrecovered.
Chantina Morley, Morley’ssister,testifiedvirtually that around 2am on the night before her brother’s disappearance two armed mencametoherhouse.She claimed the men had what lookedlikeanAK-47anda handgun.
She said the men told her to tell her brother he needed to move out of the area because they were lookingforhimtokillhim.
The following morning at 6am she saw Morley and Ms Williams together and recounted what she was told the night before. She claimed her brother told her he wasn’t moving out of Gamble Heights because Godgothim.
After saying this was the last time she saw her brother alive, Ms Morley said in the months leading up to his disappearance she noted him acting uneasy andunlikehimself.
Leo Jones, one of Moxey’s friends who called him “shadow”, said that he gave him and his girlfriend a ride on the day of disappearance. Mr Jones said although he called Moxey later that evening he never got an answer. He also suggested thatMoxeycutoffhismonitoringdevice. Angelo Whitfield served as the evidence marshal. The coroner was Kara TurnquestDeveaux.
COMMODORE TO RECEIVE RANGERS CAMP ‘ABUSE’ REPORT THIS WEEK
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE findings of an internal board of inquiry into allegations of abuse and misconduct by a Defence Force marine at this year’s Rangers camp will be revealed to authorities this week, Defence Force Commodore Floyd Moxey said yesterday.
Commodore Moxey told The Tribune yesterday that the inquiry is still underway, but said he hopes to see the completed report byFriday.
He also confirmed that the accused marine was turned over to police last Wednesday and remains in custody.
His arrest comes as authorities investigate allegations of misconduct and abuse during this year’s summercampinEleuthera, held from June 30 to July 19.
The allegations include physical assaults, forcing participants to drink toilet water, and sexually inappropriate behaviour by a supervisingofficer.
The RBDF were alerted to the claims after a parent filed a complaint last month, prompting the deployment of the Defence Force’s intelligence team to
Freeport, where the parent lives.
One mother told The Tribune her 16-year-old son described the camp as “horrible” and “literally like a prison”. She claimed Rangers were beaten in their sleep, woken in the early hours to perform strenuous exercises under threat of violence, and that some became sick after being forced to drink toilet water. While her son was not among those who drank the water, he was reportedly ordered to strip the bedding of those who had.
Shealsoallegedanofficer
simulated a sexual act on two boys and ordered one boy to expose himself and masturbate in front of others.
Commodore Moxey has said that the Rangers programme’s manual and operations are under review following the incident, with changes to be madeifnecessary.
Parents have been briefedinavirtualmeeting, withmoresessionsplanned. Meanwhile, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has previously defendedtheRBDF’swork, sayingtheagencyshouldbe judged not by the misconductof“oneortwopeople” but by how it responds and safeguards against future failures.
He confirmed the inquiry will also examine leadership responsibility and any systemic weaknesses that may have allowed the incidentstooccur.
“The purpose of that, over and above dealing with what the marine officer has done, is to examine the systems that operate, to work out how this was able to happen in the first place, look at the people who had command authority at the event, and make changes so it could not happen again,” Mr Munroesaid.
The shooting was one of several reported over the weekend. It followed an earlier attack on Key West Street Friday where a man wasshotintheleftlegwhile running from gunmen in a silverJapanesevehicle. His condition was last reportedasseriousasinvestigationscontinue.
CHARLTON MORLEY
RBDF Commodore Floyd Moxey.
ROSCOE THOMPSON, left,andRickyMackey.
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Contributing Editor 1972-1991
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No answers means no justice
TOO often in this column, we have written of the problems of delayed justice.
Intoday’sedition,youwillreadofthe identification of a body found in Grand Bahamanearlyayearago.
The body of Elkino Miller was found in September last year in a burned car hiddeninbushesofftheGrandBahama Highway.
It has taken since then for the confirmation of his identity – police saying thatthedelaywasduetoawaitingDNA results.
That may well be so, but the fact it takes so long for The Bahamas to secure DNA results speaks little for our investment in the tools we need for investigation.
What is the status of the investigation beyond that? Well, there is little sign of justice for the family and the matter remains “under investigation”. The Tribunewillcontinuetoaskforupdates.
Thenthereisthecoroner’scasereport in the matter of Charlton Morley, who disappeared ten years ago and whose mother believes was killed by gang members.
An open verdict gives no resolution for his family – but in the absence of compelling evidence as to whether Charlton is alive or dead, perhaps the juryhadlittleoption.
That said, it is another family left in limbo,waitingforsomekindofanswer.
Last week, we reported on the case of Evan Fox, who was found dead with shotgun wounds last year in New Providence.
Acoroner’sverdictthencorrectedthe original belief expressed by investigatorsthatitwasacaseofsuicide.Instead, itwasdeemedtobemurder.
The victim’s wife said she felt “lost and confused and hurt”, but added that shewas“gladIknowthetruth”.
MrFoxwasfounddeadinhistruckon April 29 last year, two days after being reportedmissing.
By rights, there should now be a murder investigation. The trail, however,ismorethanayearcold.
Again, there is another family wondering now about justice, and whether theywilleverreceiveit.
These are just three cases in the past week we have reported on – but there aremany,manymoreoutthere.
In June, Attorney General Ryan Pinder reported that 47 percent of criminal matters have been concluded successfully through convictions or plea agreements. It does not take much mathematics to work out that leaves more than half that don’t clear that bar.
Resourcescanbeanissue–howhard must it be to thoroughly investigate when there are new cases being added every day? Three murders took place overtheweekendalone.
Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles, meanwhile, warns that the force has a manpower shortfall of 2,000 officers. Undermanned and, sometimes itseems,overwhelmedwithcases.
Perhapsitislittlewonderthatsomany areleftforsolongwithnoanswers.
Themurdersthattookplaceinamass shooting at the weekend – two young men killed, five more injured – have brought comments from political leaders. But what will actually be done by those leaders to help people find justice?Thatistherealquestion–inorder to bring people the real answers they need.
We must stop the violence on our streets
EDITOR, The Tribune.
THIS past Saturday, in the middle of the day, gunfire stole the lives of young men and injured others, leaving a neighbourhood reeling. The brazenness of daytimeviolenceischilling. Early reports suggest gang involvement. That may explain motive, but it does not excuse the cause. Gangs thrive where opportunity withers: when schools lack resources, jobs are scarce, and young people have nowhere safe to belong. When doors to a better future stay closed, the wrong ones swing wide open. Simply locking people up is not a solution, it is a band-aid on a broken system. It will not make the problem go away. If we want real change, we must uproot the causes, not just punishthesymptoms.
The government has to accept responsibility. They have not done enough to prevent illegal weapons from entering our borders and ending up in the wrong hands. We do not manufacture guns in The Bahamas, yet gangs and criminals access high-powered weapons with alarming ease. Every gun on our streets represents a breakdown in border control, enforcement, and national security priorities. This cannot continue. We must seal the flow of firearms into our islands, and dismantle the trafficking networks that move them. Wemustconfrontthiscrisis head-on. At the same time, wemustinvest,consistently and seriously, in education, jobs, mental-health care, and community policing thatworks.
Regrettably, this violence is playing out in broad daylightbecausetheunderlying
issues remain unaddressed. There are no quick fixes, but we know what works. Whatismissingisthepolitical will to act with urgency andcompassion. We must prove that our society values its young men enough to protect them, to give them better options, and to place their futures at the centre of our national priorities. They are the builders, the thinkers, the problem solvers who will shape our future. They are needed to stand strong alongside women, to growfamilies,tosustainour population,andtodrivethe progress of The Bahamas. Their lives matter deeply, and the success of our nation depends on investinginthemnowandalways. Wearenothingwithoutour men.
MAXINE SEYMOUR FNMSenator August10,2025.
Hawksbill agreement
EDITOR, The Tribune.
AUGUST 4, 2025,
marked 70 years since the signing of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA), a defining document in the economic and social development of Freeport, Grand Bahama, and by extension, the modern Bahamas. And yet, the day came and went indeafeningsilence.
One must ask: Was this a ‘Silence is Golden’ moment: a wise pause for quiet reflection? Or was it a case of ‘better to remain silent and be thought a fool...’: an avoidance of national self-assessment on an agreement long overdue forreevaluation?
Since the beginning of the 21st century, which started on January 1, 2001, many have advocated for a renewed focus on the purpose and potential of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA). I have personally been tirelessly promoting this important issue for over 90% of this time, during which numerous opportunities have been overlooked and lost. As we mark the anniversaryoftheHawksbillCreek Agreement (HCA), less than six months away on January 1, 2026, we also commence our journey into the second quarter of the 21stcentury.Ifirmlybelieve that together, in these two new phases, we can significantly impact the future direction of the Hawksbill CreekAgreement(HCA).
We have heard statements from current and former leaders of the Government and of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) expressing their Grand Visions for Freeport and Grand Bahama. However, both past and present leadership have missed opportunities and failed to take action during the first 25 years of the 21st century, often caught in a state of “Paralysis of Analysis” or “Paralysis from Analysis”.Thereisnointellectual argument against this observation; if they knew what should have been done in the past, why didn’t they act? And if they understand what needs to be done now, why aren’t theytakingaction?
As Bahamians, we take pride in our rich history, natural beauty, and entrepreneurial spirit. Yet in the heart of Grand Bahama lie untapped reserves of potential that far exceed the value of sun, sand, and sea. I am writing today to encourage our community, especially our political and business leaders, to rethink and reconsider Freeport as the economic powerhouse it was always intended to be. It is time to honor the original vision of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA) as a sovereign grant of genuine autonomy and opportunity, and to “Reimagine Freeport” for thechallengesandopportunitiesofthissecondquarter ofthetwenty-firstcentury.
When the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA) was first signed in 1955, Freeport’s architects foresaw a city built on innovation, resilience, and unfettered commerce. No income tax. No capital
gains tax. No property tax. No customs duties. In its heyday, Freeport attracted world-class investors and briefly held the promise of becoming the “Hong Kong of the Western Hemisphere”. Yet over the decades, shifting political priorities and misaligned incentives eroded that promise. Decisions made in Nassau, however well-intentioned, stifled the autonomy of licensees and undercut the Agreement’s originalspirit.
To restore Freeport’s dynamism, we must go further by establishing it as an autonomous municipality, separating asset ownership from governance, creating an elected local government council, removing the encroachment of the current local governance structure along with the tentacles of the Ministry for Grand Bahama, and granting the new council the authority to levy additional self-taxes or fees beyond central government collections. In doing so, we must also confront the conflicts of interest that arise when fiduciaries, whose duty of loyalty to private stakeholders can clash with their public responsibilities, simultaneously serve as asset owners, corporate executives, and city governors. By disentangling those roles, we ensure that decisions are made solely in the community’s interest. Revenues raised locally should be ring-fenced for upgrading and expanding critical infrastructure and public services: firefighting capacity; hospitals, clinics, and police stations; magistrate and supreme court buildings; a dedicated City of Freeport civic center; schools; and other facilities essential to sustaining growth. Local control of both governance and revenue will ensure accountability, responsiveness, and the ability to plan forthelongterm.
In parallel, we should extend the Hawksbill Creek Agreement by at leastanadditional45years, incorporating 21st century innovations, digital governance, green infrastructure incentives, and blockchain-enabled land registries, while preparing for the needs of the twenty-second century. A suitable expiration date for this new Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA) timeline would be January 1, 2100, marking the dawn of the next century with a renewed social contract for prosperity.
Today, we cannot afford to cling to the past, nor should we attempt to replicate it exactly. Instead, we must combine the foundational freedoms of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA) with the tools and strategies that define modern, contemporary economic success. With competent, forward-thinkingleadership,Freeportcan again rival global hubs such as Singapore, Dubai, Estonia,andHongKong.Butto
do so, as a smart beginning, wemust: Invest boldly in infrastructure and connectivity: Upgrade roads, utilities, and resilient broadband; modernise port and airport facilities; and establish seamless logistics networks forglobalsupplychains.
Cultivate a local entrepreneurial ecosystem: Launch innovation incubators,co-workingspaces,and educational partnerships to empower Bahamians to lead in fintech, digital media, sustainable tourism, andrenewableenergy.
Leverage legal autonomy and self-taxation: Empower the municipal council to enact streamlined permitting, offer R&D tax credits, incentivise green construction, and deploy tokenised investmentvehicles.
Champion sustainable and inclusive growth: Prioritise coastal resilience, mangrove conservation, and smart urban design while ensuring development uplifts all citizens through participatory planning.
Forgeregionalandglobal partnerships: Partner with Caribbean neighbors, North American ports, and globaltechfirmstoposition Freeport as a hub for nearshoring, data centers, and marine-scienceinnovation.
This is not a call for nostalgia,butforboldrenewal. Our public and private sectors must come together, investors, community leaders, educators, and elected officials,todraftarefreshed mandate for Freeport and the Grand Bahama municipality in the age of digital economies, climate uncertainty, and decentralised finance. Let us convene stakeholder forums, commission up-to-date economic impact studies, and establish a cross-sector task force charged with delivering a revitalisation blueprint, complete with municipal statutes and revenue-allocation plans, withinsixmonths. Freeport’sgoldenmoment has not passed; it awaits a new generation of visionaries willing to embrace complexity, innovate with purpose, and honor the HawksbillCreekAgreement (HCA)’s original promise. By rethinking Freeport as an autonomous municipality and untapped economic engine, we can awaken this sleeping giant and set the stage for a future in which our children, and their children, prosper in a city that stands among the world’s mostdynamicurbancenters. We have the opportunity to focus on “what is happening now, what’s new, andwhatiscomingnext”to createaunique,world-class destination for economic growth.
After seven decades, we are now without a Unified Vision for the future of Freeport. The time for silence has passed. If we truly believe in ownership, opportunity, and prosperity for the people of Grand Bahama, then let this belatedanniversarybeacall to courageous conversation andpurposefulaction.
C ALLEN JOHNSON Freeport,GrandBahama
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Coleby-Davis to run again in Elizabeth constituency
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER of Energy and Transport JoBeth
Coleby-Davis intends to stand in the Elizabeth constituency in the next election,shesaidonFriday.
Confirming her re-electionplans,shesaidhergoal was to demonstrate to constituents that she deserved anotherterm.
“I have been working towards making sure that the persons that entrusted me to be their MP see that my work spoke highly and thatIamreturned,”shesaid.
“Elizabeth is home for me now. It has been a part of my life since I became MemberofParliament,and evenbeforethen.
“Wehavebuiltanetwork within the community. We work on community building exercises. We have a Lizzie teen group that we do a lot of community service with and clean-up initiatives. We also visit a lot of our senior citizens, andwetakeanursewithus to do pressure checks and just to check on them, and we try to keep the pulse in thecommunitygoing.”
Shesaidherteamworked with various ministries to address infrastructure requests, but wanted residentstoknowherworkwas nottiedtoelectioncycles.
“It removes just the fact ofwhenelectioncomes,but also that they have consistently seen me, and I have consistently been there,” sheadded.
ENERGY PROJECTS AWAITING ENVIRONMENT GREEN LIGHT
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
RENEWABLE energy projectsarenowbeingconsidered for environmental approvals, said Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis on Friday.
She said the signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) with vendors had been completed and work was now focused on securing clearancefromtheDepartment of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) before construction could begin.
“In New Providence, one of the areas has already been declared and they are working closely to get their clearance from DEPP,” she toldreporters.
“Family Island vendors have been working on getting all of their environmental reports completed forthemtofinalise.Itisjust the environmental portion of it now before they can
reallyseemuchofthework started, but a lot of them have already started ordering their equipment and getting ahead of the busy seasonofshipping.”
Mrs Coleby-Davis said the Ministry was looking at ways to expand training both within Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and the Ministry of Energy to build technical capacity in renewable energy. She said this would support the country’s goal of reducing reliance on fossilfuels.
The government previously announced the signing of multiple power purchase agreements for solar microgrids and hybrid systemsonislandsincluding Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Harbour Island, Bimini, Staniel Cay, Black Point, Farmer’s Cay, Moore’s Island, San Salvador, Long IslandandCatIsland.
Officials have set a national target for 32 percent of electricity generation to come from solar
MAN FOUND WITH MARIJUANA SENT TO JAIL FOR TWO YEARS
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was jailed for two years on Friday for possessionofmorethan8lb of marijuana with a street valueof$8,500. De’Ashley Pratt, 28 pleadedguiltytopossession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He was found with 8lb and 4oz of marijuana at his residence on Dunmore Street on
August7,thecourtheard. The same charge against Ella Pratt, who pleaded not guilty, was withdrawn after De’Ashley Pratt accepted sole responsibility. Pratt was sentenced to 24 months at the Bahamas Department of CorrectionalServices. Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson served as the prosecutor. Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms presided.
SUSPECT ACCUSED OF INJURING MAN IN FIGHT AT GAS STATION
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail on Friday after allegedlyinjuringamotoristand damaging his car at a gas station in Oakes Field last month. Perez Pierre, 32, was accused of causing harm and damage to Anthony Nova during a fight at Shell Gas Station at Oakes Field around 2am on July 5. He is further alleged to have caused $396 worth of damage to the front windshield of Mr Nova’s 2013
Toyota Passo during the sameincident. Pierre’sco-accused,Alexandria Frank, 31, was also charged with assaulting Mr Nova.
Bothpleadednotguilty. Pierre’s bail was set at $6,000whileFrank’swasset at $1,000. The defendants were warned not to interfere with the complainant or any witnesses. The trial beginsonOctober24.
Sergeant 3004 Forbes served as the prosecutor. The magistrate was Senior Magistrate AlgernonAllenJr.
BAIL GRANTED IN FIREARM CASE
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail on Friday after being accused of having a loaded gun outside a business on BayStreet. Godfrey Sherman, 44, wasarraignedonchargesof possession of an unlicenced firearm and possession of ammunition. Sherman was allegedly found with a chrome and black .38 revolver and five
roundsofammunitionafter police stopped him for suspicious behavior at 2.30am onAugust5. The defendant pleaded notguiltybeforeMagistrate LennoxColeby. Sherman’s bail was set at $7,000withoneortwosureties. The trial will begin on November17. Bjorn Ferguson represented the accused, while Assistant Superintendent ofPoliceLincolnMcKenzie servedastheprosecutor.
power by 2030, with severalprojectsexpectedtobe operationalbynextyear.
When asked about microgrid initiatives in
the southern islands, Mrs Coleby-Davis said projects in the MICAL constituency were being handled by the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB) and remained in the evaluationphase.
“They are concluding their evaluation process
and we should hear some more on who would be selected to continue workingontherenewablesideof thoseprojects,”shesaid.
JOBETH Coleby-Davis pictured in the House of Assembly in May. She has confirmed her intention to run again in the Elizabeth constituency.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY,AUGUST 11, 2025
The cycle of crime that links to Haiti upheaval
ByMALCOLMSTRACHAN
AFTER the gunshots stopped in the Robinson Road area on Saturday, the screamsbegan.
AsIwritethis,twoyoung men are dead from a mass shooting that left five more injured. We are used to shootings in The Bahamas, sadly, but rarely do we see a shooting on this scale. Thatisnottheonlyunusual aspectofthisshooting–the shoutsandscreamsafterthe attack were in Creole. This was an attack on members of the Haitian community hereinTheBahamas.
It is all too easy for people to fall into the xenophobia that all too commonly goes along with talking about the Haitian community–butinthepast week there have certainly been signs of concern of thingsweshouldbewaryof given the state of collapse thatournear-neighbourhas beengoingthrough.
The police are understandably tight-lipped over thelatestattack–ithasjust happened and their investigationisonlyjuststarting.
The incident has the feel of a gangland attack, though. Two of those attacked had ankle monitors on, and it was a crowd of young men hanging out together next to a car. The gunmen, in what is an alltoo-common signature in The Bahamas, pulled up alongside in a Japanese car, got out and started firing. One of the victims died in the car, another died in the street as he tried to run away. If this was just one incident, perhaps the warning bell of gangland activitymightnotringquite so loudly, but the last few weeks have seen a series of moments suggesting the connectivity between The Bahamas and Haiti when it comestocrime.
Last week, instructions were sent from a United Nations sanctions committee to the Central Bank of TheBahamas.
That note required the bank to check through its records to see if any assets were being held for Haitian gang leaders such as Jimmy Cherizier, nicknamed
“Barbecue”, Andre Johnson, AKA Izo, Joseph Wilson, Vitelhomme Innocent, Victor Prophane, Elan Luckson and Renel Destina. Ifthefirstofthosenames sounds familiar, it should be by now. Barbecue is one ofthemostprominentgang leaders in Haiti at a time when the gangs are largely in charge over there. He has led major offensives against neighbourhoods, leading to many killings, rapes and people being displaced. I wrote about him back in 2023 as The Bahamas committed to sending troops to try to help stabilise Haiti – if we are harbouring resources for him even as we send Bahamianstotrytostophim,we are undercutting our own officers.
The other names mentioned are no better –wanted for a host of crimes including attacks causing death, rape (including
of children), disruption of aid and a number of kidnappings.
The instruction from the UN required the investigation to be done “as a matter of priority” so it does not sound like a fishingexpedition.
Then, last month, there was the maritime drug bust that left three Bahamians dead in Haiti in an incident thatisstillshortondetails.
Haitian police intercepted a boat reportedly carrying several Bahamians and a Jamaican man. The boat reportedly also carried drugs and guns. Officers opened fire, and so far as we know three Bahamians are dead, one in unusual circumstances after seemingly dying during treatment after surviving theinitialconfrontation.
Bahamian drug smugglers and gun runners are not in Haiti by accident. It is part of the network of criminality that spreads
aroundtheregion–particularly given the vast amount of control that gangs have inHaiti.
Put it all together and you have drug and gun operations linking the two countries, a concern that our financial institutions are being used to harbour resources for gang leaders – and what seems to be a deadly attack with what sounds like gang involvement here on our streets. It is exactly the nightmare scenario we ought to be tryingtoavoid.
Haiti has had yet another governmental shakeup. Last week, Laurent Saint-Cyr became the new president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council. That council has been charged with holding elections by February next year – which seems a very optimistic goal given the vastamountsofthecountry that are outside of the government’scontrol.
Oneofthefirstmoveshas been to announce a threemonth state of emergency covering Haiti’s rice basket region–theWest,Arbonite and Centre. Those areas are said to have been under attack in recent years, but given the extent of violence across the country, that seems somewhat redundant. It sometimes seems as if everywhere is under attack. From the central region alone, more than a quarter of a million people have been displaced, according to the UN. In an incident back in April, dozens of people waded and swam across the country’s largest river as they tried to flee gangs. The former police director general, Normil Rameau, is out, and in comes André Jonas Vladimir Paraison. Rameau was heavily criticised as gangs took control of up to 90 percent of
Port-au-Prince, the capital, but it is hard not to feel some sympathy for him as he battled with underfunding and lack of resources in the face of what seems an overwhelmingenemy.
A UN-backed mission in the country intended to assist has 991 personnel, when it was supposed to have 2,500. It has $112m in funding, when it was supposedtohave$800mayear. It has no air support, and only 200 officers can be deployed at a time because oflackofequipment.
What was the response in Haiti to the change at the council? That same gang leader, Barbecue, told residents to give his gang free passage to reach the council’s office. Filmed wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying an automatic rifle, it was a direct threat to overthrowthegovernment.
Meanwhile, the UN mission warned: “Partisan infighting within the transitional government has had the effect of paralysing the government and emboldeningthegangs.”
There is still a lot more detail to emerge about Saturday’s mass shooting here – and perhaps it may turn out there is no gang link, as improbable as that may seem right now. But it is a warning sign for what we have to be on our guard against.
We cannot allow the situation in Haiti to spread to our streets. Our financial institutions cannot hoard the cash of gang leaders. Bahamians ought not to be engaging in criminal activity that connects with gangs there. We must not be bringing guns and drugs from Haiti onto our streets and putting money in the pockets of the gang leaders ruiningthatnation.
It is time to redouble our efforts to prevent such an overspill of violence – and very much time that the Minister of National Security spoke up to address the issues.
Allthiscanbedonewithout the xenophobia often encountered in such situations. Haitians are suffering morethananyone–itisthe gangs that must be tackled, to benefit all of us, BahamiansandHaitiansalike.
THE SCENE on Robinson Road where two men were murdered and five more injured on Saturday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/ Tribune Staff
NEWLY-appointed police chief Vladimir Paraison, left, salutes Transitional Council President Laurent Saint-Cyr, during his presentation ceremony as the new interim police chief, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Friday.
Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP
YOUNG PLAYERS - NOT JUST PROS
- NEED TO BEWARE OF BRAIN INJURY
By David B Sarwer Professor of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Temple University
ON JULY 28, 2025, a 27-year-old gunman entered a New York City office building that is home to the National Football League’s headquarters. He shot and killed four people and injured one other beforekillinghimself.
In a note found in his wallet, he claimed he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain condition believed to develop from repeated traumatic brain injuries. He asked expertstostudyhisbrain.
CTE has received much attention over the past two decades as multiple NFL players have been diagnosed with the condition aftertheirdeaths.
The 2015 movie “Concussion,” about a forensic pathologist named Dr Bennet Omalu who documented the first case of CTEinanNFLplayer,also highlightedtheissue.
The gunman in the New York City shooting played high school football, but he did not play professionally. It is not known whether he hadCTE.
I’maclinicalpsychologist who studies mental health issuesandtheirrelationship tophysicalillness.
Although people generally associate CTE with professional athletes, a growing body of research, including my own work, shows that adolescents and young adult athletes experience traumatic brain injuries that can have both short-term and long-term effects on mental health. In my view, young players andtheirfamilies,aswellas coaches, should pay attentiontotheseemergingrisks.
FROM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES TO CTE
Atleast55millionpeople worldwide are thought to experience a traumatic brain injury each year. The actual number may be higher, as many brain injuries are never diagnosed or treated.
Somepeoplewithabrain injury recover quickly. Others do not. Over half of people with a brain injury reported mental health symptomsoneyearlater. These include difficulties concentrating, memory problems and irritability, as well as physical concerns such as recurrent headaches and difficulties with balance.
Many people who sustainatraumaticbraininjury also report difficulties with anxiety, depression and
substance misuse as they arerecovering.Somereport thoughtsaboutendingtheir livesorsuicideattempts.
Although the link between traumatic brain injuries and CTE is still beingstudied,manyexperts believe that the condition is caused not by a single, severeblowtotheheadbut by repeated trauma to the headovertime. It is not uncommon for former competitive athletes across a range of contact sports to believe they may have CTE – not only becausetheyrememberthe injuries or being diagnosed with a concussion, but also because they experience manyofthecognitivesymptomsthataffectpeoplewith traumaticbraininjuriesand sometimes misuse alcohol, pain medications or other substances to cope with them.
However, there’s no way for someone to get a diagnosis for the condition while they are experiencing these symptoms. There is
currently no test for CTE. Doctors generally diagnose itafteranautopsy.
REPEATED BRAIN INJURIES IN YOUTH SPORTS
The focus on CTE has brought greater interest in the effects of traumatic brain injuries in general. Such injuries are common notonlyinprofessionalathletesbutalsoinadolescents and young adults who play sports. They are seen frequently in military veterans aswell.
In a study published in March 2025, my colleagues and I assessed more than 500 varsity and club sport athletes.
Wefoundthat75percent saidtheyhadexperienceda head injury before starting college. Almost 40 percent reported being diagnosed with at least one concussion, and just over half of those athletes experienced alossofconsciousness.
We also found that
student athletes who had experienced head injuries were much more likely to be diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder in theirlifetime. They were more likely to drink alcohol excessively and have a substance use disorder in their history. Greater symptoms of an alcohol use disorder were associated with having their first head injury at an earlier age, as well as having more head injuries, diagnosed concussions and losing consciousness from thoseinjuries.
These troubling observations highlight the often overlooked mental health effects of head injuries in adolescents and young adults. Our study aligns withothersthathavefound a relationship between sports-related traumatic brain injuries and mental health symptoms – and it is among the first to look not only at self-reported symptoms but also at formal psychiatricdiagnoses.
How exactly these cases might relate to CTE is unknown, but there are hints of a link: Researchers examining the records of 152 former contact sport athletes who died before age 30 identified signs of CTE in the brains of 40 percent of them. Family members described mental health symptoms in the majority of them, and alcohol and substance misuse were reported in approximatelyone-third.
INCREASING SAFEGUARDS FOR BRAIN HEALTH IN YOUNG ATHLETES
While head injuries in youthsportswereoncemet with a shrug, youth sports leagues are increasingly paying attention to the issue.
Studiessuggestthatlimiting the amount of physical contact in preseason training or between games can reduce young players’ head injuryrisks.Coachesofcontact sports such as football
and soccer often receive training on identifying the signsandsymptomsofhead injuries and are given strategiestomanagethem. Athletic trainers, routinely available at many highschoolsportingevents, are involved in sporting events for younger children as well. As first responders to athletic injuries, they are trained to assess symptoms of head injuries and can provide guidance, as part ofamedicalteam,onwhen an athlete can return to play. Athletic trainers also may be well positioned to observesomeofthemental healthsymptomscommonly seenafterheadinjuries. Following a head injury, parents and guardians should also keep an eye on their athlete. Changes in mood or behavior after a head injury warrant a referral to a neurologist or mental health professional for additional assessment andtreatment.
CHICAGO Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright, right, tackles Miami Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, in Chicago yesterday.
Photo: Erin Hooley/AP
IN this 2017 file photo, Ann McKee, director of Boston University’s centre for research into the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, addresses an audience on the school’s campus about the study of NFL football player Aaron Hernandez’s brain, projected on a screen behind in Boston.
Imagine Bahamas: A vision for peace and national renewal
By TERRY K MILLER
WE LIVE in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, blessed with stunning waters, vibrant culture, and some of the most hospitable people on theplanet.Andyet,forover 40 years, escalating crime and violence have carved a deepwoundintothesoulof our nation. Every murder, every robbery, every act of brutality leaves us further traumatised — not just as individuals,butasasociety.
The escalating violence has wounded our collective soul. It is a wound that cannot be healed by cosmetic measures or quick
‘Gangs formed not just for mischief, but as protection against local drug lords. The unchecked flow of illegal immigration has contributed to institutional stress and social fragmentation.’
fixes. It demands deep introspection, strategic action, and a new cultural vision. To truly understand how we arrived at this crossroads, we must confront
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
• Terry K Miller is a veteran social health advocate and leader with over 45 years of experience in substance abuse, substance abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. He is the founder and executive director of Bahamas Association for Social Health (BASH), one of the country’s longest-standing organisations dedicated to transforming lives through therapeutic community modelsandyouthdevelopmentprogrammes.
As guest of the US State Department, the British Home Office, the UN, IDB, OAS, CCELD, and DoHi, he has participated in conferences, workshops, and seminars through the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, geared toward a deeper understanding of democratic principles, drug abuse preventiop, education and treatment, and the principles that informs a healthyculture. A three-time former president of Civil Society Bahamas, he has worked tirelessly to unify non-profit organisations and champion collaborative nation-building efforts. Now in his 70s, Terry is the creator of the National Peace Initiative (NPI) and the Imagine Bahamas: Vision 2050 podcast - platforms designed to engage citizens and institutions in honest dialogue and practical actionforlastingpeaceandsocialrenewal.
the root causes of violence in our country. The cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, the rise of organised crime, and the influx of illegal firearms helped seed a culture of aggression and fear. Gangs formed not just for mischief, but as protection against local drug lords. The unchecked flow of illegal immigration has contributed to institutional stress and social fragmentation. Our justice system has buckledundertheweightof backlogs, inconsistencies, and perceived inequities.
The family unit - once the bedrock of Bahamian society - has eroded, with many children growing up in single-parent households, often led by overworked and under-resourced mothers.
Meanwhile, the once unshakable moral authority of the church has diminished. While still present, its influence has waned as society has grown more distracted, disillusioned, and disconnected from spiritual foundations.Addtothisthe challenges of youth unemployment, lack of access to quality, personalised education, and rising mental health issues, and the picture becomes clearer: the violence we see is not isolated-itissystemic.
Understandably, many Bahamians are now looking abroad for solutions. They point to other nations and ask, “Why can’t we do what they’redoing?”
Countries like Jamaica, ElSalvador,thePhilippines, and Brazil, have experienced significant drops in drug trafficking and crime by implementing curfews, states of emergency, and aggressive anti-crime task forces. While these measures appear effective on the surface, they often come at thecostofcivillibertiesand disproportionately affect good citizens along with criminal actors. The longterm results remain to be seen. What is not mentioned is that in Brazil they have seen high civilian casualties and long-term social mistrust, especially among blackandpoorpopulations. ElSalvadordeclaredastate of emergency in March 2022, suspending constitutional rights like freedom of assembly and legal counsel. There has been mass arrests: Over 75,000 people detained, many without formal charges, while the Philippines launched
a “War on Drugs” with a zero-tolerance policy which encouraged extrajudicial killings by police and vigilante groups. They bypassed due process in many cases. The results saw tens of thousands reported killed, and while drug related crimes dropped, the international backlash was intense, including an ongoing ICC investigation into crimesagainsthumanity.
These are quick fixes— painkillers that mask the disease. Like the addict seeking the instant high that yogis spend decades to attain, the former ends up in rehab, the latter finds trueserenity. Many of us are looking for the magic wand, seeking
solutions from from someone other than ourselves – it’s the police, it’s the parents, it’s the courts, it’s the government, and on and on,andyes,itisallofthose, but it is more, it is also us, yes you and me, we’re all in this thing together and its going to take all of us, civil mindedBahamians,tofixit. The National Peace Initiative (NPI) offers another way. It is not a bandage; it is a blueprint.
A dynamic, living framework that addresses root causes, examines current realities, and proposes specific, practical steps for each of us - individuals, families, churches, schools, businesses, and government - to play our part in
creating a safe and peaceful Bahamas.
Over the coming weeks inthiscolumn,Iwillunpack the NPI piece by piece. I will examine the roles we all must play, and the powerful synergy that emerges when we stop pointing fingersandstartjoininghands. I will also share updates on the Imagine Bahamas podcast - an initiative that will feature voices from all walksoflife,contributingto acollectivevisionforpeace. ImagineBahamas. A land of peace, purpose, andpossibility. The Bahamas, the safest, most peaceful country on Earth. It begins with us. And it beginsnow.
THE SCENE at the weekend’s mass shooting in Robinson Road. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
IN PURSUIT OF A BRIGHTER BAHAMIAN FUTURE
WHEN Paul Roberts walked across the stage to collect his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in May 2025, it wasn’t just the culmination of academic grit, it was the embodiment of quiet resilience, long nights in the lab,andasteadfastbeliefin doing your best, even when itdoesn’tfeellikeenough.
“I’vealwaysbelievedthat ifyou’redoingtheverybest you can each day, things willworkout,”saysPaul.
That belief is what’s carried Paul through unimaginable difficulty, from losing his mother to cancer just before starting university to the financial instability that nearly derailed his studies. But with the support of his
older siblings, the Lyford Cay Foundations scholarship, and a natural gift for seeing the unseen, Paul pressedon. His fascination with physics began with curiosity – videos, articles, the thrill of stripping down the world’s most complicatedtheoriestotheirmost essential truths. “Physics helps me think system atically and abstractly. I enjoymakingsenseof chaos and explain ing it to others in a way that’s still accurate,” he explains. “It’s like having a licencetothink.”
Now, as a rising researcher in UC Berkeley’s Crommie Lab, Paul has found a home at the frontier of discovery: 2D materials. Specifically, his work focuses ongraphene,an atom-thin lattice of carbon with seemingly limitless potential. Under the guidance of Dr Hsinzon Tsai, Paul co-authored a
research paper published in ACS Nano, a feat that still feels surreal. The study explores molecular diffusion on graphene-based field-effect transistors, offering insights that could reshapesemiconductoreffi-
‘The Bahamas has brilliant young minds. We just need to empower them to believe that we can lead.’
ciency and chemical manufacturing. Paul is already thinking beyondthelab.
“My goal is to return home and help lead The Bahamas into a new era
of energy independence,” he says. “We’ve been talking about solar energy for decades, but real implementation is hard. That’s whyweneedpeopletrained in science and the systems tomakeitwork.”
He envisions a future where The Bahamas doesn’t just adopt renewableenergy,itpioneersit.He sees a nation where clean energy isn’t a luxury or a buzzword, but a birthright. Whether through innovative material research, policy planning, or building scalable solar infrastructure, Paul wants to work at the nexus of science and society.
“The Bahamas has brilliant young minds,” he adds. “We just need to empower them to believe that we can lead, that our
voices and ideas matter on theglobalstage.”
Paul focused on finishing strong academically while seeking internships thatwillbridgehisresearch expertise with real-world industry applications. It’s this intentionality and commitment to impact that sets Paulapart. In his quiet way, Paul Robertsisalreadychanging the world. One atom. One idea.Onestepatatime.
• Gain An Edge is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.
PAUL ROBERTS
LOWER TURNOUT AT HIGH ROCK SEAFEST THIS YEAR
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THIS year’s High Rock Seafest had a lower turnout than last year - but organisers were still positive about the East End day of cultural celebration.
Leyland Laing, public relations officer for the festival, said the numbers were not what they had expected compared to last year.
“The turnout was good, but not the kind of crowd we normally see at the festival. Nonetheless, we are grateful for those individuals and visitors who came out to support us,” he said.
Bahamian artist Stevie S, who traveled from Bimini, entertained the crowd at the 19th annual event with favourites such as Hold Ya Head and One More Sweet Song.
Wilfred Solomon and the Top Tier Band also brought plenty of energy to their performances.
Rushing this year was the New Generation Junkanoo Group, an up-and-coming group on the Junkanoo scene. The Royal Bahamas Police Force K-9 Unit provided a live demonstration.
Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson officially opened the festival on Emancipation Day.
TheschoolgroundsinHighRockcamealive as crowds gathered to watch the beer-drinking and watermelon-eating contests, traditional staples at the festival. There were also activities for kids, including a bouncing castle, along with Bahamian delicacies such as conch fritters, conch salad, and fried fish.
The High Rock community, which was among the hardest-hit areas during Hurricane Dorian, continues to rebuild.
Mr Laing said the festival provides an economic boost to the community, especially for small businesses.
“It is part of keeping the community alive and attracting people to come back to High Rock because many of the small businesses here benefit. This is our 19th, and while we had anticipated a bigger turnout, I think we are going back to the drawing board and plan for the biggest festival next year,” he said.
The Ministry of Tourism provided a free bus shuttle for guests from hotels in the Freeport area.
Mr Thompson commended organisers for the great effort each year. He said: “East Grand Bahama is the capital for festivals, not just in Grand Bahama, but in the entire Bahamas. We have the most festivals; one is held in every settlement out East. We are pleased that Seafest continues, and what it means for High Rock.”
‘STAMPING OUT HEALTH ISSUES’ WITH BAHAMAS POST OFFICE
THE Bahamas Post Office Department held its first “Stamping Out Health Issues” Health and Wellness Fair on Friday at Town Centre Mall. Assistant Postmaster General April Simms stressed the Post Office’s role in community well-being. Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis attended.
Vendors provided medical screenings, nutrition advice, mental health resources, and financial planning, while visitors joined Zumba sessions and sampled healthy foods.
STUDENTS READY TO SET SAIL ON NEW CAREER
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
TWO dozen Bahamians have graduated from a maritime pre-apprenticeship trainingprogramme.
Minister of Labour and Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle described the programme as a direct response to the country’s workforce needs. She said developing skilled Bahamian workers will help industries meet demand through local talent.
“We want to ensure that we’re providing solutions to the problems that exist,” she said.
“In terms of labour, we talk about how we can look at the gap of where we are identifying more work permits. More industries are saying there’s not enough Bahamian skilled workers.Yes,wewanttohire Bahamians,buttherearenot enough Bahamian skilled workers.Soyes,thisresponds directlytothat.”
The six-week course covered soft skills, mathematics, English, and sector-specific instruction. Graduateswillnowmoveinto full apprenticeships to gain hands-on experience with partners including Nassau Cruise Port, Harborside
Marine, Marlin Marine, The MailBoat Company Ltd, and others.
The National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), launched in 2024, was created to train skilled workers for quality jobs across various industries. It is a partnership between the government and the InterAmericanDevelopmentBank (IDB).
The NAP also recently graduateditsfirstconstruction cohort.
NAP executive director Michelle Malcom said maritime apprentices will spend 80 percent of their time in the workplace and 20 percent in ongoing trainingattheLJMMaritime Academy.Shesaiditwasup toeachapprenticetoimpress potential employers during the interview process to secureajob.
Graduate Gregory Fowler Jr,30,joinedtheprogramme tobuildonhisinterestinthe maritime field, which began inhighschool,andhisstudies inmarinebiology.
Another graduate, Danae Francis,19,wonascholarship at Synergy Bahamas after excelling in her cohort. She encouraged other young people to join the NAP, especially if they are struggling to find a career pathorseekingguidance.
LJM MARITIME pre-apprenticeship cohort poses for a picture to celebrate recent graduation.
