YEAR IN REVIEW – Violence Sends Shockwaves Across The Country

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – This year ended with news of shocking allegations against several Bahamians who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

The U.S. indictment was unsealed days before December revealing 11 Bahamians — including a senior police officer, a police sergeant and a defense force officer — and two Colombians were charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, possession and use of firearms, and firearms conspiracy.

But before that played out on tv and computer screens across the country, there were crimes that shocked the nation from the very first day of 2024.

The year began will bloodshed, on January 1st, when a son allegedly murdered his father in their west New Providence home.

The crime would be one of many to send shockwaves through the country, in a year filled with heartbreak and loss for many families across the nation.

Just two days later, there was the double murder of thirty-year-old Dino smith  and his girlfriend  on Prince Charles Drive. 

Smith was allegedly a suspect  in a million-dollar money heist back in 2023. 

Others allegedly linked to that heist were also murdered this year including alleged gang leader, Michael Fox Jr in May.

But it was the killing of former Deputy House Speaker and FNM MP Don Saunders in March that shook the nation in what police said was a robbery gone wrong.

But it wasn’t just murders that grabbed headlines, the disappearance of American transgender woman Taylor Casey drew the attention of the world.

The 42-year-old vanished without a trace on June 19 while on a month-long yoga retreat on paradise island. Her family telling American media they’re not happy about the police investigation.

As officers had their hands full with that investigation, the murder count continued to climb.

In October, it  prompted the Davis administration to unveil its three-phase crime plan to combat gangs, violent crimes and enhance public safety.

That very same month, there was a triple murder in Fox Hill after 3 men were ambushed by gunmen.

By late November, an country reeling from crime would mourn again after a missing pre-teen and elderly woman were raped and strangled to death just days apart in separate incidents.

On November 20th, 12-year-old Adriel Moxey was found in bushes just off Faith Avenue South.

Then on November 23rd 72-year-old grandmother and breast cancer survivor Vernecha Butler was found dead in Ross Corner home. 

Their families left to mourn their tragic deaths.

The stories of 2024 remind us of the urgency to create a safer, stronger Bahamas. With new initiatives, renewed focus, and community support, there is hope that we can turn the tide in 2025.