POLICE officers shot and arrested two suspects shortly after the assailants killed a man on Joe Farrington Road Tuesday.

A search is underway for a third suspect involved in the homicide. #The incident occurred shortly after 11am at the Ivory Plaza on Joe Farrington Road. #Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, said police were on patrol in the area when they saw three men chasing and firing shots at the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. #As a result, police shot at the suspects, who attempted to flee the scene in a small Nissan vehicle. This is the third police involved shooting for the year, one of which was fatal. #Police captured the first suspect, who was on bail for murder. He was later taken to the hospital by ambulance, CSP Johnson said. A short while later, the second suspect was captured in bushes nearby thanks to public assistance. #The third suspect had evaded capture up to press time. #Police were on patrol of the area when they heard gunshots, CSP Johnson said. #“The officers went to investigate and observed three males chasing an individual and firing shots at him. The officers engaged these gunmen shooting two of the suspects," CSP Johnson told reporters at the scene yesterday. #"One of the suspects was able to make good his escape. The officers then observed the victim that was on the ground, who appeared lifeless. EMS was called and they came and checked the body and saw no signs of life.” #He continued: “Two of the suspects got into a small Nissan vehicle and attempted to flee, but was again stopped by these officers. #"They were able to arrest one of the males where a firearm was recovered. A short while ago, the second individual was arrested in bushes nearby; he is presently in custody.” #The deceased is believed to be a resident of the area in his early 20s. #CSP Johnson explained the importance of the commissioner’s vision for saturation patrols, while thanking the officers of the Elizabeth Estates Police Station for their quick response. #Additionally, he also expressed his confidence in the police response to tackling crime, despite the trend of repeat offenders committing offences. #“Again, this is what the commissioner speaks about when he speaks about saturation patrol. Even if we are not able to prevent these incidents, we would be in a position to catch these culprits and that's just what occurred today,” CSP Johnson said. #He added: “Foot patrol, vehicle patrol, we would continue to do these patrols, as that is part of the commissioner’s policing plan. We expect that we will yield the same results that we yield today with this success in arresting these suspects.” #In January, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said that police will introduce a new and improved saturation patrol and system. #The police chief has said there will be increased patrols, more targeted operations in hot spot areas and expanded resources, including a new fleet of police vehicles.

A search is underway for a third suspect involved in the homicide.

The incident occurred shortly after 11am at the Ivory Plaza on Joe Farrington Road.

Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, said police were on patrol in the area when they saw three men chasing and firing shots at the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

As a result, police shot at the suspects, who attempted to flee the scene in a small Nissan vehicle. This is the third police involved shooting for the year, one of which was fatal.

Police captured the first suspect, who was on bail for murder. He was later taken to the hospital by ambulance, CSP Johnson said. A short while later, the second suspect was captured in bushes nearby thanks to public assistance.

The third suspect had evaded capture up to press time.

Police were on patrol of the area when they heard gunshots, CSP Johnson said.

“The officers went to investigate and observed three males chasing an individual and firing shots at him. The officers engaged these gunmen shooting two of the suspects," CSP Johnson told reporters at the scene yesterday.

"One of the suspects was able to make good his escape. The officers then observed the victim that was on the ground, who appeared lifeless. EMS was called and they came and checked the body and saw no signs of life.”

He continued: “Two of the suspects got into a small Nissan vehicle and attempted to flee, but was again stopped by these officers.

"They were able to arrest one of the males where a firearm was recovered. A short while ago, the second individual was arrested in bushes nearby; he is presently in custody.”

The deceased is believed to be a resident of the area in his early 20s.

CSP Johnson explained the importance of the commissioner’s vision for saturation patrols, while thanking the officers of the Elizabeth Estates Police Station for their quick response.

Additionally, he also expressed his confidence in the police response to tackling crime, despite the trend of repeat offenders committing offences.

“Again, this is what the commissioner speaks about when he speaks about saturation patrol. Even if we are not able to prevent these incidents, we would be in a position to catch these culprits and that's just what occurred today,” CSP Johnson said.

He added: “Foot patrol, vehicle patrol, we would continue to do these patrols, as that is part of the commissioner’s policing plan. We expect that we will yield the same results that we yield today with this success in arresting these suspects.”

In January, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said that police will introduce a new and improved saturation patrol and system.

The police chief has said there will be increased patrols, more targeted operations in hot spot areas and expanded resources, including a new fleet of police vehicles.

The 49th annual Red Cross Ball – the first to kick off the 2023 Ball season - was certainly one for the books! Held last Saturday evening under the theme,” We Ballin’, Lights Camera, Action,” hundreds showed up at the Grand Ballroom of the Atlantis Resort to show their support to the outreach organization. BTC was a $20,000 Platinum title sponsor of the Ball, and several members of team BTC were in attendance, including its CEO, Sameer Bhatti who delivered remarks, and BTC’s Deputy Chairman, Valentine Grimes. 

PRIME Minister Phillip Davis returned to his constituency yesterday to open Cat Island's first passport office in a move that was welcomed with open arms by residents there.

He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell as well as other government officials. Mr Davis, who brought keynote remarks at yesterday’s opening ceremony, hailed the event as a fulfilment of his government’s promise in ensuring that all Bahamians have equal access to important governmental services. “It’s really good to be home and today, let me just say that we are opening a satellite office for the passport office, but this is more than just that,” Mr Davis said. “It’s about a vision. It’s about fulfilling promises and it’s about ensuring that we move what I call the inequities of services that plague our archipelago. #“It’s not because of (a lack) of will to get it done, but it’s quite frankly because of geographical makeup.” #Mr Davis added that The Bahamas was not Nassau-centric and noted that every Bahamian deserved to have access to the same services, while committing his administration to doing just that. #“We’re an archipelago having to duplicate services all around our country, particularly 29 population centres and all of them deserve the same access to the services that they get in the capital,” he added. #“That’s my commitment and that’s what we intend to do. It’s becoming more achievable because of technology. Technology is allowing us to do more for the delivery of services in our Family Islands as we would’ve done in the past. #“And so, we who are now here in this technological age have a duty to ensure that we do what is necessary to remove all of the inequities that we who are on the family islands suffer.” #Mr Davis said he knew firsthand what it’s like to be disadvantaged and not have access to essential services like electricity. #He also admitted that while the office opening was “five years late, it’s better late than never.” #“In 2016, we implanted a system where residents on Cat Island could get their birth certificates and so the next step was getting the passport office open. It’s about five years late, but better late than never,” the prime minister later told reporters. #Mr Mitchell also delivered similar remarks at Monday’s event and told Cat Islanders he was happy for them. #In his speech, the minister remembered the Progressive Liberal party’s mandate to ensure that all islands have equal economic development and said the Davis administration was devoted to fulfilling those promises. #“When (Sir) Lynden Pindling and his colleagues became the government of The Bahamas in 1967, they made a pledge to the country that the country would be served by a government that provided services across the country for all of the population centres equal to another,” he said. #“So, the job was whatever happened in New Providence should be replicated in all of the population centres in the country equally. There are 28 or so population centres across the Bahamas from north to south and we have had the job of trying to fulfil that promise. #“So that’s our job. We are in the second generation now and our job is to make sure that that promise is carried out.” #The island’s new passport office is located in Arthur’s Town.

He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell as well as other government officials.

Mr Davis, who brought keynote remarks at yesterday’s opening ceremony, hailed the event as a fulfilment of his government’s promise in ensuring that all Bahamians have equal access to important governmental services.

“It’s really good to be home and today, let me just say that we are opening a satellite office for the passport office, but this is more than just that,” Mr Davis said.

“It’s about a vision. It’s about fulfilling promises and it’s about ensuring that we move what I call the inequities of services that plague our archipelago.

“It’s not because of (a lack) of will to get it done, but it’s quite frankly because of geographical makeup.”

Mr Davis added that The Bahamas was not Nassau-centric and noted that every Bahamian deserved to have access to the same services, while committing his administration to doing just that.

“We’re an archipelago having to duplicate services all around our country, particularly 29 population centres and all of them deserve the same access to the services that they get in the capital,” he added.

“That’s my commitment and that’s what we intend to do. It’s becoming more achievable because of technology. Technology is allowing us to do more for the delivery of services in our Family Islands as we would’ve done in the past.

“And so, we who are now here in this technological age have a duty to ensure that we do what is necessary to remove all of the inequities that we who are on the family islands suffer.”

Mr Davis said he knew firsthand what it’s like to be disadvantaged and not have access to essential services like electricity.

He also admitted that while the office opening was “five years late, it’s better late than never.”

“In 2016, we implanted a system where residents on Cat Island could get their birth certificates and so the next step was getting the passport office open. It’s about five years late, but better late than never,” the prime minister later told reporters.

Mr Mitchell also delivered similar remarks at Monday’s event and told Cat Islanders he was happy for them.

In his speech, the minister remembered the Progressive Liberal party’s mandate to ensure that all islands have equal economic development and said the Davis administration was devoted to fulfilling those promises.

“When (Sir) Lynden Pindling and his colleagues became the government of The Bahamas in 1967, they made a pledge to the country that the country would be served by a government that provided services across the country for all of the population centres equal to another,” he said.

“So, the job was whatever happened in New Providence should be replicated in all of the population centres in the country equally. There are 28 or so population centres across the Bahamas from north to south and we have had the job of trying to fulfil that promise.

“So that’s our job. We are in the second generation now and our job is to make sure that that promise is carried out.”

The island’s new passport office is located in Arthur’s Town.

The Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, appealed to students and faculty of Akhepran International Academy to take care of the environment. 

“When you see physical damage being done against [the] environment we must act. Illegal dumping, littering and the pollution of waterways -- things we regularly see throughout our neighbourhoods should offend you. When you see policies enacted that are detrimental to the environment you must speak up. We all bear responsibility to ensure that our environment stays healthy and productive, for ourselves and those we leave behind,” said Minister Miller.

In recognition of International Day of Education and International Environmental Education Day (January 24th and 26th, 2023 respectively)  Minister Miller joined the Bahamas Chapter of Caribbean Youth Environment Network at Akhepran International Academy’s Environmental Education Assembly, January 24th, 2023.  The theme for the assembly was “To Invest in People: Prioritize Education."

He said, “Many of you are afraid of the outside.  Bees, frogs and snakes scare you. Instead, you have turned to screens for learning and entertainment. However, I assure you that if you were to venture into the great outdoors, learn, and play outside, a whole new world would open itself up to you. There you can watch the pollination process at work; see the food chain in practice and begin to understand your place in the entire ecosystem. Take the concepts that you learn indoors and apply them to the outdoors. Your teachers would be impressed.

“Humans were placed on this planet to be stewards of the creation. However, there are some of us who think that means that we can do what we want with it and to it. But that is not so. We are to take care of the creation and each other. As you learn more, teach more. Get connected through your school and community to increase the understanding of environmental issues in your communities and take action. Each of us can make an impact.”

International Environmental Education Day is observed globally with the objective of improving the relationship between humans and nature. World Environmental Education Day is dedicated to raising awareness about climate change and sustainability.

The Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, appealed to students and faculty of Akhepran International Academy to take care of the environment.   “When you see physical damage being done against [the] environment we must act. Illegal dumping, littering and the pollution of waterways -- things we regularly see throughout our neighbourhoods should offend you. When you see policies enacted that are detrimental to the environment you must speak up. We all bear responsibility to ensure that our environment stays healthy and productive, for ourselves and those we leave behind,” said Minister Miller. In recognition of International Day of Education and International Environmental Education Day (January 24th and 26th, 2023 respectively)  Minister Miller joined the Bahamas Chapter of Caribbean Youth Environment Network at Akhepran International Academy’s Environmental Education Assembly, January 24th, 2023.  The theme for the assembly was “To Invest in People: Prioritize Education." He said, “Many of you are afraid of the outside.  Bees, frogs and snakes scare you. Instead, you have turned to screens for learning and entertainment. However, I assure you that if you were to venture into the great outdoors, learn, and play outside, a whole new world would open itself up to you. There you can watch the pollination process at work; see the food chain in practice and begin to understand your place in the entire ecosystem. Take the concepts that you learn indoors and apply them to the outdoors. Your teachers would be impressed. “Humans were placed on this planet to be stewards of the creation. However, there are some of us who think that means that we can do what we want with it and to it. But that is not so. We are to take care of the creation and each other. As you learn more, teach more. Get connected through your school and community to increase the understanding of environmental issues in your communities and take action. Each of us can make an impact.” International Environmental Education Day is observed globally with the objective of improving the relationship between humans and nature. World Environmental Education Day is dedicated to raising awareness about climate change and sustainability.