Vincy cop killed in Turks and Caicos

A Vincentian police officer based in the Turks and Caicos Islands was shot dead last Thursday, January 20, in that country.

Reports say that Constable Prince Smith, accompanied by other persons, had just left a taxi and were about to enter a restaurant when two armed men wearing masks approached them. {{more}}

The suspects were described as one being six feet tall and the other approximately five feet, seven inches. The shorter of the two was carrying a long arm shotgun while the other assailant was carrying a short arm. The police are yet to establish what type of firearms they were.

Robbery

Robbery is believed to be the motive for the crime since the assailants demanded and made off with a bag one person was carrying. The shorter of the two suspects is the one believed to have shot Constable Smith.

Reports from the Turks and Caiscos say Smith, who is originally from Troumaca, was rushed to the Myrtle Rigby Health Clinic where he was treated but subsequently died of wounds sustained.

Horrendous crime

The slain Police Constable Prince Smith had served the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for approximately two years.

The crime, described as a “horrendous crime”, was the subject of a press briefing at the Office of the Chief Minister where Governor James Poston called the crime “shocking and appalling” as he expressed condolences to the family of the slain officer and his sympathy to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force as they grieved the loss of a colleague.

On behalf of his government and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Chief Minister Michael Misick also expressed sincere sympathies to the family of Constable Smith.

As the Minister responsible for tourism, the Chief Minister noted, “Our country is dependent on tourism and inward investment and a crime such as this one and tourism do not co-exist.”

He stressed that, “The government is committed to putting all of its resources behind catching these criminals and bringing them to justice.” He affirmed his stand with the police department by reassuring them of the government’s commitment to “providing the necessary resources to recruit more officers and more equipment that would enable them not only to detect crime but to prevent the type of incident that took place”.

He noted that the Turks and Caicos Islands prides itself in being one of the safest countries in the world and urged those responsible to “nip incidents such as this in the bud”.

He made a plea to all citizens and residents alike to come forward with any information that could assist in the police investigation.

Latest reports from Turks and Caicos indicate that police authorities were looking for a Jamaican national, Damion Henry, and Trevor Capron of Gran Turk in connection with the murder.

A memorial service has also been planned.