National

New Details Revealed in Viral Video Showing Woman Fending Off Suspect

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A viral video showing Immigration Officer Fanshawn Evans grappling with a man who allegedly attempted to steal her vehicle is drawing attention, after she says the confrontation unfolded when she stopped to help a child she witnessed being dragged by the suspect.

Published

1 hour ago

September 9, 2026

Denielle Miller

NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Denielle Miller – demiller@cablebahamas.com

While off duty, an immigration officer was en route to collect her children. And as she travelled on Charles W. Saunders Highway, she witnessed a child in distress and used her professional training to intervene.

This video involving immigration officer Fanshawn Evans shows her grappling with a man who attempted to escape the scene in her vehicle.

In an off-camera interview, Evans told me it unfolded while she was driving along the highway. That’s when she observed officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force pursuing a man who was aggressively dragging a young boy.

She described the suspect as having red, bloodshot eyes and foaming at the mouth. As he tried to run across the highway with the boy, her instincts took over.

Evans says she slammed on the brakes to prevent them from crossing, and in that brief moment, she alleges the assailant released the boy’s hand. She signalled for him to enter the Jeep.

That’s what led to this chaotic scene caught on camera.

The drama left many residents shocked.

Following these events, I spoke with the representative for the Public Affairs and Communications Department of the RBPF, Inspector Jerard Culmer, who cautioned the public that Evans is a trained individual, and in situations like the one that unfolded earlier this week, a civilian intervening could lead to a more dangerous outcome.

Insp. Jerard Culmer – Public Affairs & Communications, RBPF
“And in instances like that, we’re not sure if the person has a weapon. We don’t want to get you injured. At the base, the most important thing is we want to ensure the child’s safety.”

Culmer acknowledges the existence of a citizen’s arrest. However, the Royal Bahamas Police Force does not recommend it.

This is because of several technicalities that could potentially place a well-intentioned individual in a legal dilemma.

Insp. Jerard Culmer – Public Affairs & Communications, RBPF
“If you detain the wrong person, you could be charged with assault or even false imprisonment.”

He also says they do not discourage public assistance. Instead, they provide this recommendation when addressing a potential abduction.

Dial 919, get as many descriptive details as possible, and calmly obstruct the suspect’s movement until law enforcement arrives.

Insp. Jerard Culmer – Public Affairs & Communications, RBPF
“We have numerous operational units on the road, as well as divisional mobile units, so we don’t want you to get into a shouting match or a verbal altercation, especially when the child is in reach.”