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The sanctuary filled slowly, then all at once with uniforms, family and friends of Johnathan Johnson.

Laughter and tears mingled as loved ones remembered the life of the police constable killed last month in a crash along East Bay Street.

He loved being an officer.

To Pastor Monique Davis of Judea Family Worship Center, he was “Johnny,” a young man who loved God and showed it quietly.

“I knew he loved his God,” she said. “He used to work the late shift, get off at 8 o’clock, and by 11 o’clock he was still in the house of the Lord.”

After every Sunday service, he had a ritual. Stuttering slightly, smiling widely, he would follow her and ask, “Mama, what you cook?” The church erupted in laughter at the memory.

He loved to give. Last Christmas, he bought her a pair of shoes, the heel too high, and insisted she walk in them so he could see how they fit.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Rodger Thompson described him as diligent, respectful and unwavering in his loyalty to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. After a transfer from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, he served in Prosecutions and the Western Division with dedication.

“He was called to serve,” Thompson said. “Humble, well-mannered and kind.”

But it was his best friend, Tyrik Ingraham, who captured the ache of the loss.

Friends since high school, they were inseparable, fishing for hours, arguing over who caught more, communicating without words. “We were the only two that could make jokes,” he said softly and tearfully, “but not to be joked on.”

“I lost a brother,” Ingraham said. “I lost someone I trusted with life-changing decisions. I lost someone who could pull me out of my darkest moments.”

Elder Justin Rahming remembered training alongside him as a prison officer, how he once slept through the training sessions and still passed the exam. Later, when Rahming met him at a police roadblock, Johnny’s simple request was, “Pastor, pray for me.”

Featured images and photos: Through the Eyes of Ezra

The family of 60-year-old Felix Morley is struggling to come to terms with his sudden and violent death, following an incident on East Bay Street late Saturday night.

“We ga miss you…You were a good friend to us,” Devonyah Rolle wrote. “Like you always said, it’s about trust and friendship.”

News of Morley’s killing spread quickly, sending shockwaves on social media among those who knew him—on social media, friends and relatives flooded timelines with simple tributes, many writing “RIP,” while others shared brief memories.

Former Speaker of the House Halson Moultrie reflected on knowing Morley from earlier years, describing him as “highly spirited” and “a wonderful soul.”

According to police, Morley was beaten about the upper body and died at the scene. A suspect has since been arrested, but for those grieving, the arrest does little to ease the pain.

“We continue to be so cruel to each other,” Tony Smith wrote, expressing a sentiment shared by many who see Morley’s death as part of a wider pattern of violence affecting the country.

For some, the loss feels especially raw because their final moments with Morley were recent.

Eclipses Stubbs said he had seen him just days before his death and recalled a quiet, ordinary moment that now carries only memories.

“I was able to sit and have a cold soda with him,” Stubbs shared.

“Rest easy, Uncle Felix. We love and miss you,” the tributes continued.

Friends were shaken on Thursday by the tragic death of Arnold Simms, a 61-year-old man of Westridge.

The news spread quickly, leaving friends and neighbours struggling to understand the sudden loss.

“Why, bro?” close friend Rush Bevans asked in disbelief. “This really bothered me,” he said in a social media post.

The sorrow was felt by many who knew Simms.

Police, still investigating the incident, say Simms was found in his home, suspended from the attic with a cord attached.

Julie Hoffer, who had recently seen him at the Hoffer Shopping Center West, was stunned by the news as she processed his passing. Their connection, she said, is rooted in Long Island ties.

Roslyn Rodgers, a former colleague, was shocked when she heard the news: “Oh my goodness! He was a nice person, rather pleasant indeed.”

In the midst of the grief, Bevans reminded loved ones about the importance of checking in on one another.

“Get nosy. Check on those we love,” he urged. “Be intentional in asking how they are doing and if they are okay. I believe the warning signs are always there. Sometimes we don’t see them, or we choose to mind our own business. It’s time to be nosy with our friends and our loved ones.”

Simms’ death sparked conversations about mental health and the importance of checking in on others.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, faith leader, or healthcare provider for support.

Or you can call the Bahamas Crisis Centre at 328-0922.

In an emergency, contact the emergency services.

You are not alone.

After police issued a missing person alert for a 25-year-old woman, she popped up online, not in distress, but very much alive and apparently very annoyed.

Alicia Forbes, who authorities said was last seen on November 13, showed up in the comments under the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Facebook post to clear the air.

According to her, the only thing missing was the ‘truth’.

Using the name Baby Queen, Forbes wrote, “This is not truth.”

She added that she’s not missing. She just wanted some freedom.

“I just want to have fun… My family always have me on lockdown. I can’t go anywhere with nobody, so I keep running away,” she admitted publicly, sending the comment section into a mix of laughter, disbelief, and motherly scolding.

When commenters urged her to at least call home, Forbes insisted her family wasn’t listening.

“I tried,” she said. “I just want to have a little bit of fun, ok. I am 20 years old.”

Police said 25. She said 20. At this point, everyone was missing something.

One Facebook user, Portia Cooper, gave her a stern warning:

“Young lady, let your family know you’re safe. Too much danger in this lil island. Be careful with the fun you looking for.”

But Forbes held her ground with one final reminder: “I am not missing.”

Police have updated the poster. By now, everyone on Facebook knows exactly where she is.

Just about eleven months after stepping down as Commissioner of Police, Clayton Fernander has resurfaced as Consul General to Toronto, Canada.

His appointment comes on the heels of a turbulent period for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, marked by allegations that officers under his command used their positions to smuggle contraband into the United States.

Though Fernander was not personally implicated in the wrongdoing, his sudden resignation on December 4, 2024, raised questions. Now, his diplomatic posting has many asking:

How did we get here?

November 26, 2024: A force under scrutiny

The RBPF faced one of its most serious public scandals when U.S. authorities reportedly uncovered a network involving Bahamian officers–two officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and one officer of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, accused of using their position to facilitate contraband smuggling operations into the US.

December 4, 2024: Clayton Fernander resigns

Fernander was never named in the allegations, but the issue cast such a shadow over his leadership that calls for accountability grew louder. He resigned as Commissioner, with Prime Minister Philip Davis announcing in the House of Assembly that he accepted the resignation, saying the police force “needs change.”

November 3, 2025: From resignation to redeployment

About eleven months later, the government announced Fernander’s appointment as Consul General in Toronto, one of the country’s key diplomatic posts, with a large Bahamian diaspora.

This has caught many by surprise. Some argue that the appointment suggests a “soft landing” for a top official exiting under pressure, while supporters say Fernander’s experience and international training with Canadian contacts make him fit for the role.

What does a Consul General do?

The Consul General represents the Bahamas abroad, assisting Bahamian citizens, promoting the country and supporting diplomatic missions.

The post comes with perks: official residence and a good salary.

These appointments are made directly by the Cabinet, often reflecting the government’s confidence in the individual’s loyalty and leadership skills.

Why this matters

Fernander’s return to public office in a diplomatic role defines about how accountability works in the Bahamas.

Some may ask, ‘Why do some officials reappear in powerful posts so soon after controversy? And ‘Is this a reflection of how political loyalty outweighs public perception?’

Fernander’s appointment is a familiar pattern in Bahamian politics, where resignation amidst a scandal is without accountability, but is followed by reward through a form of redeployment.

The bottom line

Fernander’s move from the country’s top cop to the country’s representative in Toronto is a case study in how the system in the Bahamas deals with power and political loyalty.

A night out turned tragic for 20-year-old beach attendant Mekhi Taylor, who was shot and killed early Saturday morning — leaving his family and friends heartbroken and searching for answers.

Taylor, described as a “kind soul who made the day better,” worked at The Blue Zone Experience, which shared a tribute after his death.

“He was hardworking, respectful, and an irreplaceable asset to the business… We are grateful for his life and the time he spent with us,” the company said in a social media post.

Police said Taylor was standing with a group of people in a parking lot on University Drive around 2 a.m. Saturday, when a Japanese vehicle pulled up and the occupants opened fire on the crowd.

Taylor was struck and later died of his injuries.

His sister, K’nelle Taylor, told The Tribune she believes he was not the intended target.

“He never bothered anyone. He was never into gang violence,” she said.

Before the shooting, Taylor had dinner at Carnivale Bahamas, dropped off a neighbor, returned home, then went back out — never to return.

“I was sleeping,” K’nelle recalled. “My younger brother woke me up and said, ‘Mekhi get shoot.’”

Friends say Mekhi loved life and the social scene. His sister said he was known as a “partier”, often teasing relatives who warned him to be careful.

“From he turned 18, he was just into parties and a good time,” she said. “If something was to happen to him, he’d say, ‘At least I had fun.’”

Taylor’s killing adds to the growing list of young Bahamian men lost to gun violence, a crisis that continues to devastate families and communities.

The search for 30-year-old Lauren Saunders ended in heartbreak Wednesday morning when police discovered her body in bushes off Munnings Drive.

Saunders, a pregnant mother of two who went missing on Sunday, was found dead around 8 a.m., Wednesday, police confirmed. Officers say the decomposed body bore signs of gunshot wounds.

A man has been in police custody since Monday as part of the investigation.

Saunders was last seen Sunday morning on her way to work but never arrived. Her car was later found near Coral Harbour with a flat tire, and her phone last pinged near Gladstone Road. Her family had spent days pleading for her safe return, leading volunteers and police in desperate searches across western New Providence.

Her older brother, Renny Saunders, shared his grief in a Facebook post:

“My baby sister, I love you, Lauren.”

At the search site, family members wept and prayed together. “We will trust in God,” one shouted.

Search volunteer Calvin Brown said, “We walked every service road, crossed every barrier, and were met with the heartbreaking news we all feared.”

 Cousin Simeon Rolle said his family is in pain, “This did not have to happen. You did not deserve this.”

Speaking to the perpetrator, he said:

“I hope you rot in hell.”

A woman who attended church with Saunders last week recalled her asking for prayers of protection. “She got up in the middle of service and she took the mic…and she said, ‘Pray for me, I need protection.'”

Prime Minister Philip Davis called for justice:

“Violence against women has no place in our society and must be met with the full weight of the law.”

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe defended the police response amid public criticism, saying officers acted immediately:

“A missing person’s flyer was issued the same day, and by Monday, a person of interest had been taken into custody.”

Michael Clarke, a former classmate of Saunders’ and a volunteer in the search, remembers her as “a very sweet girl who loved to laugh and was loved by many.”

Saunders graduated from CR Walker Senior High School in 2012.

The tragedy has reignited national outrage about women’s safety in The Bahamas and renewed calls for capital punishment.

The bottom line:

Lauren Saunders’ death is more than a personal tragedy — it’s a national wake-up call about how vulnerable women remain and how urgently the Bahamas must act to protect them.

Featured picture left: The Tribune

Progressive Liberal Party’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller died early Sunday morning after he was found unconscious in a vehicle.

The 64-year-old Member of Parliament for Golden Isles was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Here is a timeline of the events leading up to his death:

2017—Vaughn  Miller joined the Free National Movement becoming the MP for Golden Isles Constituency

The popular radio personality entered politics to become a candidate for the Free National Movement. He won the Golden Isles constituency and gained 56 percent of the votes (3,374), beating PLP Michael Halkitis, who got 34 percent (2,058) of the votes.

Miller served in the House of Assembly in Prime Minister Hubert Minnis’ administration, becoming a parliamentary secretary.

June 12 2018—Vaughn Miller voted against the FNM’s increase of Value Added Tax

Miller was one of four Free National Movement members of Parliament to publicly oppose the government’s value added tax increase, joining Centreville MP Reece Chipman, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson in opposing the move.

When Hubert Minnis’ administration sought to raise the VAT from 7% to 12%, Miller emphasized the burden it placed on Bahamian families, whom he believed could not afford the tax hike.

Miller said his constituents suggested it be implemented incrementally.

June 19, 2018—Vaughn Miller was fired by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis

Miller, appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, was fired for going against the Budget bill passed in the House of Assembly, in what the government said was a breach of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure.  Minnis had appealed for MPs to support the budget in its entirety.

Opponents of the budget were apparently warned that voting against any part of the budget package would result in a resignation of their positions in government, in keeping with the Westminster system of governance.

Miller said he was given a letter from Minnis and escorted by a police officer to return his government-assigned vehicle.

December 11, 2019– Miller lambasted Hubert Minnis and became an Independent

Miller announced his decision in the HOA to leave the FNM and became an independent.

“Two cannot walk together except they be agreed,” he said.

“Obviously, Mr. Speaker, our differences are irreconcilable. The FNM will not repent and I shall not recant, and therefore, Mr. Speaker, because of my respect for organizations and institutions that I am a part of, two cannot walk except they agree.”

December 2020–Miller became a member of the Progressive Liberal Party

He announced in the House of Assembly his decision to join the Opposition at the time, The Progressive Liberal Party.

“It has always been, Mr Speaker, my desire, my dream… to serve our great country and to make life better for other people, particularly the poor, the indigent, the marginalised, the disenfranchised, the downtrodden,” Miller said, referencing his firing as Parliamentary Secretary, also revealing that he survived thyroid cancer, saying the illness took a financial toll on him.

September 2021–Miller was elected the Golden Isles MP for the Progressive Liberal Party

As a PLP, Miller won the Golden Isles seat, gaining 50% of the votes (2471). He was soon appointed the first Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philip Davis administration.

September 2025–Speculations arose that Miller would not run again in the upcoming general election

Miller’s political future came under scrutiny, and rumours swirled that he may not contest the Golden Isles seat or may not be renominated by the PLP in the 2025 general election.

Reports were that he was seen campaigning alongside former Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller.

However, the Tribune reported that some PLP supporters in his constituency claimed he was not a good representative, citing his neglect of the community during his two terms.

Six months after Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson was caught up in an alleged quid pro quo with two deceased gang members in circulated voice recordings, he along with well known attorney Bjorn Ferguson, and Sergeant Deangelo Rolle were charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday with crimes linked to the case.

Johnson faced these charges–conspiracy to commit bribery, abetment to stealing, receiving, and accessory after the fact. It was alleged during the arraignment that he stole $90,000, the property of the Bank of the Bahamas

Ferguson was charged with accessory after the fact, while Rolle was charged with abetment to stealing.

Here is a timeline of events before charges were filed:

July 2-3

Sylvers Metayer, a Bahamian man based in the United States, known to have a gripe with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, shared voice notes with alleged voices of Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation Department; a lawyer and two other men believed to be two gang members–Dino Smith and Michael Fox Jr, engaged in conversations about some type of financial exchange after a 1.4m heist.

Smith was killed in January and Fox was killed in May of 2024.

Another man connected to the heist was also later killed.

July 5

Free National Movement Chairman Duane Sands called for an investigation into the matter by international law enforcement partners– Scotland Yard or the FBI to oversee the investigation.

Police Commissioner at the time, Clayton Fernander appointed Chief Superintendent of Police Anthon Rahming as CID’s head in place of Johnson, promising an investigation into the matter led by the Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the police force.

July 8

Fernander said Johnson was placed on ‘garden leave’ as authorities investigated the voice notes.

August 22

Fernander directed that police will no longer release statements regarding their investigation as public cries loudened for more details about the probe’s status.

Free National Movement Chairman Duane Sands soon criticized the police for their silence, calling for urgency to restore public trust.

August 28

Fernander announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) had joined the probe.

The investigators were expected to arrive on August 14 but did not.

September 19

Fernander promised that the probe would be completed by the end of 2024.

“I know there are a lot of folks saying that the police cannot investigate the police, but we have a dedicated area focusing on investigating police officers — trained officers,” Fernander said.

September 25

A document was shared on social media announcing that Johnson was transferred from CID to the organization’s headquarters in the office of the commissioner, as a formality.

Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings clarified that Johnson remained on leave.

“It’s a standard procedure,” she insisted.

December 31

Johnson resigned from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, as announced in a press release, which added that other officers were implicated in the investigation but their matter would be handed to the deputy commissioner of police with responsibility for discipline.

January 2, 2025

Fernander who was the out-going commissioner since announcing his resignation earlier in December, announced on the sidelines of the New Year’s Junkanoo Parade that police arrested and interviewed Johnson and Ferguson and that the men were released pending further inquiries as his office awaited the Director of Public Prosecutions’ review and recommendation in the matter.

“We took our time, the investigators took their time, and that’s how we got to where we are today,” Fernander said.

January 7, 2025

Johnson, attorney Bjorn Ferguson, and Sergeant Deangelo Rolle were charged in the Magistrates Court and were not required to enter pleas.

Johnson’s bail was set at $25,000 while Ferguson and Rolle’s bails were set at $7,500.

They will return to court on January 30.

The man believed to be responsible for brutally attacking a woman at a Baillou Hill Road bus stop was arrested Thursday, bringing to an end the public search after the incident sparked outrage.

Police said they arrested a 41-year-old man, believed to be the unknown attacker of a woman heading to work.

The big story

The assault was videoed and circulated on social media. The woman suffered two broken legs, a broken nose, and severe facial injuries after being viciously punched and kicked.

It was reported that no one offered to assist the woman until a good Samaritan stepped in, hitting the attacker who then fled toward Wulff Road and Market Street.

Driving the news

Social media users shared images of the man, hoping that someone would recognize him for police arrest. Some recognized the man as a popular fixture at Potter’s Cay Dock and an occasional patron at the feeding center at Great Commission Ministry on Poinciana Boulevard.