We know who you are and we are coming for you!
That was the promise of Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce to the cold-blooded killers who took three lives and gravely wounded another person during a sneak attack at a beachside lime on Sunday night.
“Turn yourselves in. Get a lawyer. Go to the nearest police station and surrender yourselves. Do it now. We know who you are. We know the circles you move in. We know what happened,” he stated.
The Commissioner’s six-minute address last night followed the shootings at Thunder Bay, St James, that shook the soul of the country. The top cop told the killers behind it that it would be better for them to give themselves up rather than face similar retaliatory actions.
Multiple shootings
The third multiple shootings for the year, which pushed homicides to 22, consumed the country with discussions on the radio, social media platforms and in person.
The culprits exited a silver-coloured vehicle and, in an explosion of gunfire, executed Lyle Robinson, 33, of 1st Avenue, Lower Carlton, St James, who was the brother of Darrian Robinson, 27, whose fatal shooting at the same Thunder Bay on October 11, 2023 brought the location, owned by the Anglican Church, to unwanted national attention. Darrian, a father of two, and the stepbrother of entertainer Hypasounds, was there attending a beach promotion.
Father Andy Robinson had the task of returning to Thunder Bay on Sunday for a second death scene, and despite being told there was hope, knew his son, a father of three, was gone.
Also dying was Jamar Ramsay, 33, of Brownes Gap, Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church. He was the brother of Jamal “Lappy” Ramsay, who died in August 2024 after being hospitalised following a motorcycle collision with an unmarked police vehicle.
The third victim was Jamar Edwards, 34, of 4th Avenue, Lower Carlton, St James.
Barbadians witnessed the heartbreaking aftermath of the shootings as recordings of the limp victims being rushed to the nearest medical facility surfaced on social media.
Reaction from those in authority was firm. Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley admitted the apparent state of war between certain gangs of young men had spiralled “completely out of control”. He warned: “Let the word go out that, from this moment, the police and other national security forces will be empowered to use every lawful means at their disposal to bring this unacceptable situation under control and bring it to an end.”
Boyce was not guessing about the “deliberate attempt to take out the leadership of one of the groups involved in violent criminal activities”.
Investigators spent the day combing the area, interviewing residents and pursuing leads.
In direct challenge to the criminals and their abettors, the Commissioner said: “To those who are helping them, hiding them, transporting them, housing them, passing messages or assisting them in any way, believe me when I say this – you will not be allowed to run rampant.
“The associates of those responsible will not be allowed to move across this country as though there are no consequences. There are consequences and those consequences will be serious.
“This is organised, dangerous violence that was carefully planned out without regard to people’s lives or the safety of the community. It creates fear. This nonsense must stop and we will work with all right-thinking Bajans to stop it.”
He warned against mistaking being calm for being passive.
“Every person who believes they can intimidate communities, challenge law enforcement and settle scores with gun violence must understand that we are coming after all those responsible. So again, to the men involved, this is your opportunity. This is your chance. Present yourselves to the police. Do not wait for us to find you because we are coming for you and the way these retaliations are going, it is better that it is us that come for you.”
Boyce told Barbadians that their fears and frustrations were understood, and police were on top of the situation and acting, but they must also assist.
“If you are sheltering anyone involved, stop and think very carefully about what you are doing. You are placing yourself on the wrong side of the law and the Barbados Police Service will deal with you accordingly. To those persons who think loyalty to violent groups is strength, it is not strength. It is destruction. It leads to prison. It leads to injury and regrettably, it leads to death. It leaves families grieving and communities traumatised. There is no honour in terrorising your neighbourhoods and leaving your families exposed.” (AC)
