A man was shot once in the face and twice in the chest yesterday morning during a drive-by shooting off Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, within 100 feet of a pre-school where children were playing outside.
According to Superintendent Paul Rolle, head of the Central Detective Unit, the victim was standing in front of his home on Nicholls Court, in Yellow Elder Gardens, when the occupants of a white Nissan vehicle drove alongside the house and opened fire.
Family members reportedly rushed the victim to hospital where he underwent surgery. His condition was unknown up to press time.
As the victim was rushed to hospital, police were in search of three men, one of whom got onto a jitney in an attempt to evade police.
Police officers managed to arrest the suspect after intercepting the jitney on East Street, according to Rolle, who could not say whether other passengers were on the bus.
The search continued for the two remaining suspects.
When The Nassau Guardian arrived on scene, police were searching the area for evidence and had already found more than five bullet casings.
Founder of Families Of All Murder Victims (FOAM) Khandi Gibson, who was on scene, said, "It is sad because you know, today is Valentine's Day when lovers would have shared a gift, a basket or a rose to demonstrate that they love one another.
"And instead we actually have people out here trying to kill one another.
"It is sad, but the only thing I can say is, I appeal for the government [to] adjust the laws on the books.
"Criminals have to feel that once convicted, [they will] feel the full brunt of the law."
Just a few dozen feet away from the scene, across the busy highway, children were participating in Valentine's Day festivities.
The school is next to the Bahamas Union of Teachers' headquarters.
Asked whether there is concern about the number of violent crimes taking place near schools and places of worship, Rolle said, "Yes, it is very callous of them when you do things like that, and it is always a concern for us."
On Tuesday, former College of The Bahamas lecturer Judith Blair, 67, and her son, Marvin Blair, 34, were shot at their Blue Hill Estates home, off Tonique Williams Darling Highway, when two men entered through the back door, police said.
The Blair home sits between two churches; Trinity Assembly City of Praise and Chapel on The Hill.
A school is also near the home.

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