By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREEPORT – A family man visiting from Canada was shot and killed in a home invasion and armed robbery in the upscale Emerald Bay Subdivision on Tuesday morning.
The victim – a 56-year-old man – was shot sometime around 7am when three masked armed men broke into the large canal-front residence on Dunton Lane.
The man and his family were visiting a relative in Grand Bahama at the time.
Although his identity has not been released, Police have confirmed that the deceased is a British citizen who lives in Canada.
The Tribune has learned that the victim is believed to be the son the late Colin Dart, a wealthy British resident who died sometime last year. His wife, Joan, was said to be living at the residence on Dunton Lane, in Emerald Bay.
The couple had two sons, one of whom lives in Canada.
Asst Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said that police are investigating the incident, the island’s sixth homicide this year.
He reported that sometime after 9am, police received information of a shooting incident at a residence over the bridge.
When police arrived at the residence, officers went to a room where a man had been shot. He was Caucasian.
“He had succumbed at the scene and was pronounced dead by a medical doctor,” said the police chief.
ACP Seymour said seven persons were at the residence at the time when the three assailants broke in and held them up.
“The mother was being visited by her children from England and Canada,” he said.
The suspects wore masks, gloves, and dark clothing, and were armed with a handgun and cutlass. They tied up their victim’s hands with duct tape.
A male resident of the home was fatally shot during an argument with the gunman.
The assailants robbed the family of jewellery and several personal belongings.
“This incident is very disturbing to us and to the wider Grand Bahama community,” ACP Seymour said.
When The Tribune arrived at the scene around noon, a woman identified as a friend of the family had tried to get past the police barrier, but was immediately stopped by officers and was told to wait behind the yellow crime scene tape.
The large residence with its attractive gardens is located on a lonely cul de sac. It is situated on the Grand Lucaya Waterway and can be seen from the Casuarina Bridge.
ACP Seymour said the police do not know how the suspects made their way onto the property and into the home.
After robbing the family, he said the suspects fled the residence in a white GMC truck, owned by the gardener.
The vehicle was later recovered by police not far the residence a short time later, he said.
A hearse arrived around 1:15pm and the body was taken from the home around 1:28pm to the Rand Memorial Hospital morgue.
When asked why police were notified some two hours after the incident, Mr Seymour said that the owners were unable to contact the police from the residence.
“There was no telephone or cellular phone at the residence. So after the assailants would have left, the remaining victims left the residence and drove to Central Police Station, and that is when we were notified,” he explained.
Mr Seymour said that while telephones were in the home, investigations found that they had been tampered with by the intruders during the course of the robbery, preventing the family from calling the police.
The police have extended condolences to the family.
“I would have met with the families of the deceased and I have assured them of the police support and cooperation in this investigation… to bring the persons responsible, for this latest homicide, to justice.”
Mr Seymour is appealing to the Grand Bahama community to assist police with their investigations.
“We are appealing to anyone who can assist us in bringing this matter to speedy resolution,” he said.
There had been speculation and rumours that the victim may have been an executive of Polymer International.
However, the company’s Human Resources manager Valerie Barry issued an official statement, denying the rumours.
The press statement in bold read: “Please be advised that Mr Gregory Ebelhar (chief operating officer - polymers international limited) is alive and well, and has no connection to the reported incident that occurred this morning in Freeport, Bahamas”.
Comments
arussell 10 years ago
This story sounds like a movie. Whats going on in Grand Bahama??? My condolences to the family.
Honestman 10 years ago
Condolences to the family of the deceased. What a nightmare for them. Their lives will never be the same again. With all of my being, I detest the sub human scum behind this atrocity. I'm not a proponent of capital punishment but incidents like this cause me to reflect on whether I need to change my position.
Bahamianpride 10 years ago
The crime is going to get a lot worse before it gets better unfortunately, I see no improvement in the deteriorating social and economic conditions any time soon. The criminal behavior in my mind is like a virus lets say Chicken pox, the Police is like a needle and we all know you cannot cure chicken pox by popping pimples. We must deal with the virus that causes this disease.. Good Education & family planning is the only vaccination i know off.. People running around making babies everywhere and not providing good upbringing & education feeds this violence. Undocumented illegal immigrants flooding our shores also feeds this problem. The Death penalty I support, but death is not a deterrent for those who do not value there own life..
GrassRoot 10 years ago
Do you really think the Bahamas is an attractive place for illegal immigrants? the issue is that this country has failed to create role models for our young men (there are some, but not many, and certainly too many with a gun in their hand) and creating social fabric and structure that allows the young men to channel their dreams, ideas, visions and energy for a greater good, for their own and our society's benefit.
242in404 10 years ago
Trust, the Bahamas IS an attractive place for illegal immigrants compared to where they come from.
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
Agree. The Bahamas has long been an attractive place our family loves to visit, regularly and often.
TheMadHatter 10 years ago
Bahamianpride - absolutely correct!!!! Overactive baby making is the biggest problem this country faces - and the only solution the church can offer is abstinence - LOL. What a bunch of losers, lost in some barbarian era.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
BTW good idea to shoot a Canadian in Freeport, I am sure scores of prospect Canadian tourist will now plus after the Hotel disaster, happily look at Punta Cana or Barbados. I bet we get highest notes in the Canadian press and TV. So however did that gets locked up for the rest of their lives for stupidity. No trial and no bail proceedings needed.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
oh yes and get the goddamned guns off the streets PM. Its not that hard. Just do it.
linnassau 10 years ago
That might only happen in an Islamic state.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
yep, sounds educated.
Bahamianpride 10 years ago
Agreed GrassRoot, but Mom and Dad are our first role models, and working in the Criminal Justice system I can say when i go through case files generally the biggest factor for most violent criminals is family dysfunction. Next its ignorance and poor education.. I always ask the single mothers, where is his dad and who is his Dad. Having a good father is critical to the development of girls and boys... Besides the stability and financial support, It teaches boys what a man is suppose to be and girls what they should expect in men. This plague of recklessly making babies and leaving them to fend for themselves is deep. All the thugs brag about having 3,4, 5 plus kids raised around ignorance and abject poverty. The illegals are just additions to the social dysfunction because they place huge strains on the health & social system taking resources away from dealing with this problem, its like some strangers moving into your house daily, adding to your bills, causing health problem, draining resources from your kids, it would destroy u and your families life. More role models are definitely needed but non more important than responsible parents..
GrassRoot 10 years ago
of course you are 100% spot on. to fix the families takes generations, but to support the persons that are role models in their neighborhoods, in business, in helping others, that can be done today, and now. Well maybe something for the newspapers? Dear Tribune, just copy CNN's Heroes Model and place the Bahamian heroes on Front Page every day, instead of bloody noses and morgues.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
well am not getting into a discussion here. if you have a gun you use a gun. whether good citizen or not. Reality is that Bahamas is way up on the worldwide statistics on murders by a gun. Not sure I even want cops to be armed here, I 100% agree with you on that.
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
Absolutely correct, Sir. Gun control increases crime by shifting the balance of power to the criminal, who becomes free to prey on disarmed, defenseless citizens.
Had any of the householders been in lawful possession of a firearm, this would have gone much differently, and likely without a shot fired.
Criminals are cowards and opportunists who immediately cease their aggressive behavior when confronted by force be it a police officer or lawfully armed citizen.
Thank you for stating the truth.
digimagination 10 years ago
As we spiral deeper into the cesspit...
John 10 years ago
Maybe there is more to this story than is being reported
GrassRoot 10 years ago
I agree, however if so, I am concerned about the Bahamas becoming a convenient place to lure people to and execute them (or have them executed), sounds rather like South America to me. The problem is the same, guns, lack of social fabric, jobs, incapable and corrupt government.
Honestman 10 years ago
Quote: "A male resident of the home was fatally shot during an argument with the gunman. The assailants robbed the family of jewellery and several personal belongings."
What more to the story can their possibly be? Innocent homeowners do get shot or killed in The Bahamas.
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
How did the assailants know the victims had things worth robbing? Doesn't that aspect alone suggest the assailants either had knowledge of their victims if not some sort of standing relationship?
Going around doing home invasions at random can be risky and downright unprofitable. Somebody knew this family had things worth taking.
The hour is unusual, isn't it? Early morning as opposed to late/middle of the night.
More will surely come out. Always does.
sadyaidan 10 years ago
I am from Canada, we have the same problem, many dysfunctional families whose children have no education or hope so they join gangs to feel they belong. Worldwide problem, education is the solution. One writer is correct about one thing, Canadians will think twice about visiting Bahamas. I stopped going to Mexico when a maintenance worker stabbed two Canadians to death and the Police tried to blame two Canadian women. I stopped going to Dominican Republic because the Police arrested two Canadians for having a bar fight, threw them in Jail for 30 days and only let them out because they paid the $25,000 extortion fee. I crossed Grenada off my list when the Police beat to death a Canadian visiting the island for no reason other than the Police were drunk. I have been to Bahamas, won't be back.
linnassau 10 years ago
The social fabric of Family of Islands is also changing quite rapidly. This is sad.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
General, lets not go crazy here, according to UNODC, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-an...">http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-an..., the Bahamas was way ahead of the pack when it comes down to intentional homicide rate per capita in 2011: 36.2 per 100,000 vs US (4.7 per 100,000). we even beat Colombia (33.2 per 100,000) or Mexico (22.7 per 100,000). Sure we are behind Venezuela, Jamaica, El Salvador, Lesotho, Guatemala and Honduras. This was before the catastrophic year of 2013 (and 2014). Nothing to be proud of.
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
The Bahamas has its problems like any other country, but I'm not buying this guy's 'never visiting again' story.
This incident sounds like an inside job, and the details suggest there's much more to it. This is not a random killing. Most killings, the assailant and victim have some sort of standing relationship.
linnassau 10 years ago
Things will only get worse as predicted in Matthew 24.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
I wonder how Matthew converted from being a tax collector for the Romans to becoming a Disciple of Jesus. You think there is hope for Mr. Lightbourne? Maybe there is hope.
linnassau 10 years ago
Lord!!! help us.
John 10 years ago
GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!! least we forget this world has been condemned and is scheduled to be destroyed. It is the last thing satan will have control over until he too, will also be destroyed and, if we are to believe the bible, things will get worse and worse. But the bible says 'let not your heart be troubled'. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am, there you will be also". So we should not concern ourselves about the loss of life and the crime and violence that is going on in the world, but saving souls. Yes we will grieve on the loss of life but once that person died in Christ he is in a better place.It is never easy to lose a loved one. Preparing to leave this earth knowing Jesus Christ so that we will end up in the right side of the great divide. There is not much you can do with a sinking ship and as we come closer to the end of this earth's history, we must make ourselves righteous so that we may be saved. The only thing you can take out of this world is your soul and God is making it easier for you and me by showing you that everything else will have no value and will be destroyed..just as was in the days of Noah Are you ready to take up the cross and follow Christ?
crabman 10 years ago
And as the sun sets gently into the west we bid a fond farewell and goodbye to what was once the greatest tourism product in the Caribbean. The only thing missing from this story is when the credits roll and it is all said and done "THE END" of my Bahamaland.
SP 10 years ago
"A male resident of the home was fatally shot during an argument with the gunman"
Condolences etc.....But anyone foolish enough to argue with a gunman is probably foolish enough to aggressively aggravate the situation as well.
No excuses.....Let's bring these animals to justice....AND hear the other side of the story as well.
Honestman 10 years ago
SP - what other side of the story do you want to hear??? That the victim perhaps had attitude with three ***holes who broke into the family home and pointed guns at their head. An innocent man, a visitor to this country has been murdered - there is no other side to the story for God's sake.
spoitier 10 years ago
If someone is going to tie me up, I would probably resist also. Don't know if he is going to shoot me after the invasion or even if he don't shoot me, who is to say that someone is going to rescue me if I don't have any other family in the Bahamas.
paul_vincent_zecchino 9 years, 11 months ago
The minute anyone allows a thug to tie them up, they're dead. Never ever let them do that. Resist by every possible means. There's only one reason they tie their victims - it makes them easier to kill.
Criminals are cowards. Resist them with everything you've got.
Stameko 10 years ago
A number of these posts are looking for some sort of excuse for killing a father in cold blood in front of his family...black, white, Bahamian, non Bahamian...it is atrocious - the Bahamas is going down fast, titanic style. These murderers need to be brought to justice fast - how can they shoot someone in cold blood, leave them dying in front of their family, and then just continue looting. But it is more than this - a culture needs to change, family values need to change, leadership needs to set an example.
Islandgirl 10 years ago
What is happening in my country?!?!? These individuals are animals. Hunt them down, and when certain that these are the perpetrators do what you would to any animal that slaughters a human being. Put them down. They are destroying this nation. Oh My God. This cannot be swept under the rug. In Grand Bahama people have long been suffering, and as soon as you see light, like with the recent increase in tourism numbers, you have something like this happening? No. Stamp it out now. Get international help and stop relying on your pride PM and Minister of National Security. All of our well being and futures and security are under siege. Get off your duffs and do something.
Honestman 10 years ago
This story is all over the UK press. This was a British passport holder killed in cold blood in front of his family.
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
Proof that gun control empowers criminals, allowing them to prey on disarmed, defenseless citizens.
Had the shooter tried pulling this gag in say, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, or any of the other states which recognize citizens' rights to self-defense, the outcome would have been different.
So much for the UK and its 'gun control' nonsense. Banning guns causes crime, because criminals always have all the weapons they need.
paul_vincent_zecchino 10 years ago
Prominent citizen passed away within the past year? One or both of his sons targeted? Sounds like there's much more to this than has been reported. There's clear cut possible motives and dynamics in play here.
Stranger killings are exceedingly rare, despite the common misperception. More often than not, a victim and assailant had some sort of relationship.
Estate beefs, by way of example, always bring out the best in everyone.
Alltoomuch 10 years ago
Did I hear Commissioner Greenslade on TV News last evening saying that "he was not bothered by crimes in Freeport"? That the police there would take care of it! Perhaps he should be bothered - this is going all over the world!
4pw 10 years ago
The home invasion aspect is alarming as it reminds uou things can get ugly in a confrontation... This week someone broke into a side room in our beach house in Treasure Cay Abaco while we were having dinner and stole cash and phones then went next door and stole the neighbour's 2200$ he brought for repair work, which they found after going thru his clothes in his room while he slept! This is in addition to having my boat stolen twice (luckily I have a hidden tracking device). It is a beautiful place but the criminal element has many of us thinking of putting up the For Sale sign. We contribute so much to the tourism economy it will be a loss. Perhaps the police could reach out to better educated forces in other countries to get assistance in dealing with these matters as well as the courts and politicians upping their game. The feeling of being unsafe is reaching the tipping point I suspect. ..
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