Enough is Enough: Bahamians Demand Action After Killing of RBDF Officer

Bahamians took to social media to express outrage over the country’s latest murder involving a service member of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Joevonte Miller, in his 20’s, was killed on Thursday night around 9 pm after arriving home on Pineyard Road. Police say three assailants shot and kill the young officer as he attempted to open the front door of his home.

Miller ran and succumbed to his injuries on the verge of the street.

Since then, Bahamians have expressed anger as gun violence continues to soar, and the country’s young men suffer the most in these targeted attacks.

Thomas Porter demanded, “New day government, please do something.”

Da La Paige Carey called for punishment by electric chairs. “If the government does not want to put hanging back on the book, buy a few electric chairs because it’s ridiculous.”

Marolyn Wells joined the chorus, advocating for the return of hanging, “What a sin. When will all these murders end? It seems as though the government is not concerned. Bring back hanging” she said.

Others like Melba Collins Morley asked for the government to seek the assistance of “extra trained police officers from other countries to sweep the island from all sides to take care of these murders.”

Some believe the government’s stance on crime is too soft, calling for stricter measures implemented by Cuba, which has become known for its hardened approach to crime.

“We have to have an approach on violent crime as they do in Cuba. We have to stop taking it lightly. It is serious. It takes away people’s freedom. It messes up families forever,” Diane Delisle said.

Bengena Lafleur said she heard the barrage of 18 to 20 bullets being fired, but immediately thought it to be fireworks.

Press Liaison Superintendent Audley Peters said the details are still unknown, adding that “At some point, we would know the cause of this incident.

“We are following significant leads. This investigation seems to be promising. All the details must come together and we have to get the information from other stakeholders to know what happened, who is responsible, what is the cause of this incident and bring it to some closure so that we can get the adjudication process started.”