By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FAMILY, friends and colleagues of a Queen’s College elementary teacher who was shot dead in her car on Wednesday night struggled yesterday to deal with the “senseless killing” that claimed the life of a woman they described as “a devoted mother and teacher”.
Joyelle McIntosh, a 34-year-old mother of two, was shot multiple times in her upper body and once in the head at the traffic light at the intersection of Parkgate and Village Roads. Police sources said the victim’s young son was in the backseat of the car during the shooting but was not harmed.
Mrs McIntosh was one of two people killed on Wednesday night.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said Mrs McIntosh was found dead shortly after 8 o’clock last night when police officers were called to the scene of a reported traffic accident at the stoplight.
On arrival, they found a Toyota Corolla crashed into a wall.
However, on examining the vehicle, officers found the body of a woman inside with gunshot wounds in her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
ACP Dean said police currently have no suspects in custody and no motive for the murder, but they are “leaning towards armed robbery.”
Teachers, parents and friends of Mrs McIntosh gathered at the Queen’s College (QC) campus on Village Road yesterday morning to pay respects to a “beautiful soul.” It was an emotional scene, with parents and students in tears as they tried to come to grips with the incident.
The slain educator was a fourth grade teacher at the private school.
Andrea Gibson, school principal, said the students were “extremely traumatised” and faculty have not yet “come to terms” with the tragedy.
Mrs Gibson said the QC family would use this tragedy to spread the word of peace and “ensure that Joyelle is never forgotten.”
“Today is a very sad day for us, we are all still – and when I say we all, I mean teachers, parents and students – are still trying to come to grips with the fact that one of our very strong contributors to our community is no longer with us,” Mrs Gibson said.
“Students are extremely traumatised. We have had teachers die suddenly from heart attacks and from other causes, but never have we had anyone senselessly murdered and so it is really shocking. We are not going to allow Joyelle’s death to go in vain. Several years ago we started the ‘Peace begins with me’ (campaign), but we have not continued it, but now this calls for us to get that activated again and to try and spread the word that each one of us is responsible for the state of our country and so we will take that message forward.”
Dr Reginald Eldon, of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church, said he wants the public to remember Mrs McIntosh as an “extraordinary woman” who went above and beyond as a teacher and a mother.
“This was not an ordinary woman,” Dr Eldon said. “In this country, the government, the primary schools are working to get the kind of teacher she was. We don’t believe anyone is more special than the next but the truth is there are teachers and there are teachers. This was one of the teachers that had the children at heart, that lived to make sure her students got what they needed.
“This is the kind of person we want to do all we can to encourage and keep alive, yet this is the person that senseless people snuffed out her life and shot her to death,” Dr Eldon said.
“We want the Bahamas to hear this, we want the press to get the picture of her out to the people to know what kind of Bahamian woman we have lost. We want people to ache in their hearts the same way her family and children and colleagues and children at QC ache. We want the politicians and the police force and the citizens of the country to say ‘I am going to do something about this.’”
In a statement posted on Facebook, Pastor of Bahamas Harvest Church Mario Moxey said Mrs McIntosh “was a gregarious leader whose infectious smile drew people to her.”
Pastor Moxey added: “She was always prepared and eager to take on new assignments and those who worked on her team can testify to the cohesiveness and high level of production that her guidance created.”
Queen’s College was dismissed at noon yesterday, after several pastors offered grief counselling for the students, teachers and parents. Dr Eldon said the school plans on having a memorial service for Mrs McIntosh “very soon.”
To honour the life of Mrs McIntosh, and “to bring awareness to the senseless act of violence wrought against her,” the school asked the QC family to wear their “Peace Begins With Me” T-Shirts, badges, or a purple/lilac shirt at school today.
Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or crime stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.
Investigations continue.
Comments
marrcus 8 years, 5 months ago
Guardian is reporting this person was a teacher at Queens College. Mother of two that taught elementary school. Oh my sweet Bahamas, you have truly failed. What chance do these children have when the best of us get slaughtered in the streets. This MUST be the tipping point for REAL action. Lip service will not suffice, and the responsibility goes to the TOP, ....................................Perry Gladstone Christie.
digimagination 8 years, 5 months ago
Apparently there was a second unrelated homicide off Kemp road, so far bringing the total number of (reported) homicides for 2015 to 130... and we still have 49 days left to year's end! Shocking state of affairs!
sansoucireader 8 years, 5 months ago
Is it 'unrelated'? Too soon to say what really happened.
Tarzan 8 years, 5 months ago
Jesus wept.
John 8 years, 5 months ago
For the sins of this world!
Honestman 8 years, 5 months ago
We are a failed State - who can deny it?
Publius 8 years, 5 months ago
No one with sense can deny it
jus2cents 8 years, 5 months ago
My Condolences to this sweet young lady and her family, may she rest peacefully.
We should not rest though, we should DEMAND that heads roll, the government are clearly out of their depth and cannot cope, Now is the time for outside help.
Also, lack of Education causes crime, the more dumbed down and stupid the populace the more crime you WILL HAVE.
This government relies on the stupid people, so they don't want to change and they couldn't change even if they wanted to.
Publius 8 years, 5 months ago
right
vm318 8 years, 5 months ago
She was my first grade teacher, I hope the man that did this to this wonderful woman rots in prison.
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Many of us have at one time or another crossed paths with Village Road & Parkgate.
Comrades even just one more call for tougher gun or sentencing laws as the simple solutions needed will be one too many.
While 100 calls to introduce meaningful social and conflict resolution programs will be 100 too few.
How many more beloved citizens will the nation sacrifice and still not learn the root causes leading to many of the escalating senseless and cold-blooded murders.
Do not fall into the trap of arming the politicians with even more excuses to call for the return of they Hangman's noose.
Tarzan 8 years, 5 months ago
Tal get a breath of air! There are large armed, amoral, gangs that are run as criminal enterprises afoot in this country. Conflict resolution did not work with Al Capone in the 1930's and it's not going to work with these thugs.
Of course there is a terrible problem with our educational system and resulting unemployment. Sad that you do not wish to credit the reasons. Your beloved PLP's first act was to kick out of the country the competent teachers in what was at the time the best public education system in the Caribbean. They were replaced by ill qualified, PLP rabble.
We reap what you sow Tal.
Craig 8 years, 5 months ago
Part of the problem is we dont enforce the laws of this country. Every women i know is terrified of living in Nassau. When you have a PM who is prublicly budy budy with people who made their money via crimimal activities, i.e. wedshop owners, we truely have no hope.
Honestman 8 years, 5 months ago
It is time for the Prime Minister and the Minister For National Security to retire. It is time for the PLP to admit it lied its way into power and offer an immediate general election. The Bahamas is a paradise lost. It is time for change.
Craig 8 years, 5 months ago
I agree these people clearly dont know what they are doing. Incompetent leaders are dangerous!!
asiseeit 8 years, 5 months ago
It is way past time to try different methods of tackling crime. I am certain that our police force could use the help of some outside detectives who have no tie's to the community. Minor offences should be dealt with via COMMUNITY SERVICE, (it's not like there isn't any dirt to be cleaned up around Nassau). A new prison needs to be built on another island, we have many that could use the business. Murderers who kill more than once should never see freedom again (I would hang them). Mr. Pm, as you and your light finger bunch have no idea's there are just a couple, if you idiots need more I will be happy to help.
B_I_D___ 8 years, 5 months ago
Rumor has it that she was a murder witness...
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 5 months ago
Heard that, who knows if it's true....I wonder if they would admit it, it would be another failure for Mr Nottage. He was an ill fit from the time of his appointment. Was it a strategy to ensure he failed and at the same time get rid of a political rival?....in any event, it's time for him to go, no venom, he just needs to go, he can't do the job.
sansoucireader 8 years, 5 months ago
IF he had any decency he would admit he is out of his league and resign.
GrassRoot 8 years, 5 months ago
Without a doubt Ms. McIntosh, you were a shining light, a positive force for all the children you taught, including my children. Thank you for all you did, your smiles, your contagious happiness, filling the class room with the tough love the young generation of Bahamians don't get at home.. You did not deserve this. You were failed by the country you served with all your talent and heart and failed by the corrupt , dumb and lazy ass politicians. you were failed by all of us, We can not protect the best talent, we can not protect our future. This country is fucked up. Shame on all of us.
SP 8 years, 5 months ago
.................................. Only the PLP has the solution to crime ........................................
Honestman 8 years, 5 months ago
The murderers must be shaking in their boots at the prospect of our crime Czar coming after them! "Don't call it a murder record" says he. "Some people are reacting with glee at the latest statistics" he continues. Well Dr. Nottage, rest assured NO-ONE in the country is gleeful after hearing of the brutal murder of an innocent and well loved mother and school teacher. What would fill us with glee is your retirement from politics and your useless government offering the public an early election.
John 8 years, 5 months ago
Our streets are flowing with innocent blood. Blood Boldly shed by demon filled animals disguised in human bodies and who have no regard for human life of the sanctity of it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Bahamians, family and friends and aquintances of those who have lost their lives in such violent, bloody and untimely way can only continue on by living shattered and empty lives. Lives incomplete. The joy of their love ones is gone forever and the void and emptiness that is left cannot ever be filled. Not in this life at least. Many who have not yet lost a relative or close one live sheltered and overly protective and restricted lifestyle for they too know the sudden and instantaneous effect of murder, that short and life flashing instant that changes a living soul into a dead, bullet riddled corpse. On the side of the street. In a car At the bottom of a canal and even in ones warm bed. Yet those in charge of crime, at least two or three of them are still in denial! They continue to point fingers, play the blame game and accept no responsibility. Yes our streets are flowing with innocent blood. Time for a coming together to fight this crime monster and to conquer the spirit of death that looms over this country. Time to stop pointing fingers. Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus had died. Weep Bahamas for too many have died.
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Comrades are we willing to continue to listen to the rhetoric we're hearing about what they will do to curtail crime that is intensifying from both the governing and official opposition parties?
Both parties might as well save their energies cause few believe them.
I can't even begin to picture why either party would think to look back with fondness at the ways they have handled the nation's escalating crime matters.
Both can easily point to the others ineffectiveness at stemming the tide of 100’s cold-blooded murders.
Comrades what I do know with all certainty is that if the two main political parties had only thought to reduce doing whatever they did as solutions to curtail escalating crime over their respective past 5 administrations in power, by just 50% that would have been a sure fire corrective measure - cause whatever the last two occupants of the prime minister's office may have been doing for the past 24 years in power, it sure as hell has been proven to have been a complete waste of many millions taxpayers dollars.
Had they taken the complete opposite action of what they took, crime statistics may have improved on their own by 50%.
Such action should NOT have included the arming of our law and order policeman’s; like you would infantry soldiers preparing to do battle with a similar well equipped enemy.
Both prime ministers should have also forced the immediate retirement and termination of all ranks that would have resulted in a minimum of 50% of Her Majesty’s Royal Policeman’s being sent home, with final paychecks in hand.
Comrades if I am wrong, I invite evidence to the contrary, pointing to where I can go see a list of their crime fighting accomplishments over the past murderous 24 years.
There exists no such list.
asiseeit 8 years, 5 months ago
Nothing will happen until they start to shoot and kill the politicians. Once crime starts to affect the little princes of the HOA, maybe they will do something.
Emac 8 years, 5 months ago
The one problem I have with politicians in the Bahamas is that they have no shame! PLP's in particular are the most power hungry bunch on the planet. If Bernard Nottage lived in Trinidad or Jamaica, he would have been made to resign. Plain and simple! How many lives have to be lost before this jackass throws in his cards and at least do the respectful thing and resign with the lit bit of dignity he has left??? On the other hand, Bahamians are much too passive and hypocritical. We would all march to stop a gay cruise ship from entering our ports. But it's alright to let murderers run rampant in our country. What does it take to get everyone riled up enough to close down parliament until these asses that called themselves ministers haul ass!
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Comrade Emac, after the people does march in front House of Assembly, may I ask who in the hell are you planning on replacing Nottage, or any other PLP cabinet minister with? Names please?
It is the comlete lack of social leadership, along with the lack of and broken social services programs that needs the real makeover.
First, will you kindly provide Tribune readers with the names of the previous five Social Services Cabinet Ministers?
GrassRoot 8 years, 5 months ago
take the all the Citizen's of the Bahamas, deduct 50% of that number - all these people are better than Nottage. Anybody is good even. Someone needs to take the blame, be the impersonated blame and walk out of the government, that is Dr. Nottage. whether he is guilty of anything or nothing. That is how politics work. Get him out of the way, get a new face in, start building new trust. of course the problem does not go away overnight. but it is obvious that people make a difference. look at what happened to this country under PGC.
Emac 8 years, 5 months ago
Bring back the Brits! Shit..I don't care, shuffle em until we get it right. I know one thing for sure. If ya fail at ya job, you should retire immediately, if not sooner. And Nottage gets a fat F, no doubt. That's just the way it works in the real world Tal! But don't tell me we don't have people who are sincere that possess the intellect and have the will to run this country other more than these snakes, cause you would be telling a lie.
digimagination 8 years, 5 months ago
The Brits don't give a toss about this country, and in fact they were very pleased to offload this burden on their backs way back when. They knew in 1973 exactly what was going to go down after 'Indipendance' - and have been proven correct.
JohnDoe 8 years, 5 months ago
Are we really serious to expect Dr. Nottage, PLP, FNM or any politician to solve our crime problem? Dr. Nottage, at worst, is guilty of politicizing the crime issue. He happens to be sitting in the musical chair at the moment but it is really not about him. It is about all of us. Whenever we talk about measures to address the crime problem all we do is speak about present tense factors that may or may not address the symptoms of our crime problem. The root cause of our crime problem is resistant to these present tense factors. However, like a drug addict who is afraid to look in the mirror for fear that seeing his image would bring him to the conscious realization that he is a drug addict, we as a society appear to also be afraid to look in the mirror. Instead we walk around with our heads held high in full denial, like the drug addict, while our society is decaying from within. If you want to be a hair dresser, plumber or electrician you have to go through training yet there is no training required to be a Parent. We have become a dysfunctional society where societal norms no longer sanction abnormal and boorish behavior and the virtues of hard work, education, decency, honesty, respect, accountability and personal responsibility only applies to a small sub-set of our society and quickly becoming unfashionable.
licks2 8 years, 5 months ago
Open the door for citizens to have their own hand guns. . .give us a chance to fight back!!
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Comrade Licks2 what if we experiment with training our people on how use slingshots and let's see how well they manage that safer assignment, before we start issuing our neighbors and co-workers, thousands of loaded Saturday Night Special pistols?
That is, unless you're rushing to R.I.P?
Amen!
paul_vincent_zecchino 8 years, 5 months ago
Were that to occur, without even one citizen arming themselves, crime would drop because criminals would think twice before perping on a citizen who might be armed, knowing their next crime might be their last.
genesis 8 years, 5 months ago
In the final analysis all will see that true repentance is turning away from false religion like the doctrine of the trinity that has the whole world stupified and seriously seeking God would of been the ONLY way to heal our nation. But it wont happen. It will get worse. Truly it will. Dont just pray, REPENT!
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 5 months ago
Christie, Maynard-Gibson, Wilchcombe, Davis, Nottage, Bell and Greenslade may as well have all pulled the trigger on the gun that killed this harmless, well-loved, dedicated and productive teacher in our community........it is their corrupt governance and failed policies that are wholly responsible for her vivacious life being snuffed out in the blink of an eye leaving her grieving young children robbed of their mother.
Reality_Check 8 years, 5 months ago
It wouldn't surprise me to hear that Maynard-Gibson has told Christie not to worry about the fallout from this sensless killing because it only lasts until the next senseless killing which is guaranteed to happen in short order given the murder rate in our country today. Yep, that's probably exactly how the Wicked Witch goes about calming our country's Jokey Leader today when it comes to his fears about the next general election! These people running our government are nothing more than corrupt greedy incompetent low-life shmuts!!
greenflag 8 years, 5 months ago
Nassau is not a big island. I'm sure the police know where all the Nuckleheads live. They should fan out in groups of five(5), and raid every known hideout or rock these scum live under. I witnessed a bag being dropped from a Cruise ship(in harbor) into a go fast boat, with a bunch of Kuckleheads in it. Was it dope or guns? We were on our way to Harbor Island on the Bo Henry, when I saw this transaction. The police need to say, "that's it, we've had enough" "We are now going to be one big bad ass".
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
by TalRussell
banker 8 years, 5 months ago
We are reaping the legacy of the sins of the Father. It all started with the abhorrent betrayal by Lynden Oscar Pindling, and this is the result. What a fantastic legacy that continues to this day. He was an animal that set these terrible circumstances into motion, and he made the poorest of the poor into animals as well.
It will take generations to clean up. However it won't turn soon, because the vomit-swimming PLP criminals are still raping this country. There are no patriots. There are no enlightened ones. The desecrate the truth. They desecrate this country. They are sub-human animals who are sociopaths -- without a shred of empathy and compassion for the suffering Bahamians.
We are all a bunch of refugees in our own land ... murdered ourselves and our country by our own hand. The lawless crowd say their prayers out loud and place their scum-laden hands on a bible to swear meaningless words as they take the oath of office. There is no hope. It will get worse, and the anarchy of the hungry crowds will come. We are already a war zone. Crime will continue to escalate. The tourists will stop coming. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth and dying in the streets. People will be praying to their silent, dumb lesser gods, and the Heavens will not answer.
I see the day coming when the hungry, dispossessed crowds will come, and they will take matters into their own hands, and mete out the same justice that was given to Nicolae Ceaușescu or to Anastasio Somoza or to any number of profligate leaders who partied while the populace suffered. We are reaching the breaking point and the tipping point.
Life in Nassau is already brutish, nasty, hard and small. It will get much worse.
TalRussell 8 years, 5 months ago
Comrade Banker let me say this okay. Thank Jesus when you're so in the compelled mood to express your true feelings about our still beautiful Bahamaland and her people, you does not also feel as compelled to be reaching to hold down da CAPSLOCK key to yell your negative homeland feelings at da rest we Tribune bloggers and readers.
You see my Dear Comrade Banker and you know I does loves you much, there are always positives to be found in the worst of anything. Comrade Banker do take time out to enjoy the smell we hibiscus flowers and the good Lord made them plentiful in we Bahamaland
banker 8 years, 5 months ago
There is more than hibiscus. I dream of a little plot by the ocean in Moss Town where my great grandmother came from, and where she toiled and worked the earth for it's harvests. The ocean there is soft and not hard like the south side. The land has no nastiness, and time has forgotten it.
But that too is no nirvana. A Toronto couple who were saving potcakes were run over and killed by a drunk and no prosecution. A British/ Canadian doctor was robbed and killed. A white woman left her estate to her Bahamian caregiver, and was found dead in the empty pool -- apparently by "accident". There is a darkness in the Family Islands, with deeply held secrets and evil doings of all kinds.
We have lost our innocence. We have lost our nobility as a people. My very idea of a nirvana in a secluded spot makes me a target in a place where a few short years ago, no one locked their doors. Sad. My dear Tal, surely you must know in your heart of all hearts, that there is a bad moon rising, and every Bahamian patriot prays that it will pass, and yet it shows no intention of doing so. That poor woman did not deserve to die like a dog in the streets.
paul_vincent_zecchino 8 years, 5 months ago
Magnificent. Thank you for stating the truth.'
Speaking as one who while yet a teenager saw the beginning with Pindling, late 60s, and how his organized goonism cost dear Bahamian friends of ours their possessions, health, and nearly their lives, your post rings true and close to home.
Concur. Completely. The keel was laid long ago, as always it is with crime syndicates.
To know the present, go back thirty years. To know the future, go back almost fifty and then project the lines from there thru the present day.
It's looking ever so slightly less than rosy.
John 8 years, 5 months ago
Some say it is the souls of all those children that was aborted (abortion ) in the 1980's, 90's and even now that cause the spirit of murder to loom over the Bahamas. The spirit of the aborted crying out for justice. Young women having two three and even more abortions in a single year. Taxing the distressed 'father' for $300 more to get a D&C.
newcitizen 8 years, 5 months ago
Thank god for all those abortions, otherwise we would have all of those aborted babies running around shooting each other up along with all the yahoo's we have now.
JohnDoe 8 years, 5 months ago
A great point, even though it may be socially uncomfortable. The irony of the trade-offs policy makers are faced with has always fascinated me and I am not advocating for widespread abortion. However, there is a popular theory that the fall in violent crime in the United States starting in the early 1990's can be traced back to the legalization of abortion in the early 1970's. In short the theory posits that as fewer unwanted children were being born, this translated into fewer children growing up in social environments that served as incubators that increased the likelihood of them engaging in criminality. It is easy, comfortable and quite frankly silly to talk about the government putting programs in place to help eliminate the decay in our society because I have never seen a government program that can compel a parent to love a child.
Greentea 8 years, 5 months ago
The Chief of Police, and the Minister of National Security need to resign immediately. Nice men but unable to do their jobs. I don't care why- they need to go. Our problem is three fold: 1. Poor poor parenting- we are 'raising' some dumb ass, socially maladjusted, lazy chirren who respect nothing including life, smoke too much dope and are weak minded enough to join gangs 2. We have a poor police system whose members are too small a number and too many in that small number are not very good policemen and women. The RBPF's refusal to hire people who have not come up in the system is also a problem- Because what you get in terms of thinking is severely limited 3.Lawyers who game the system for their vile clients. Yes there are a few innocents- but in my experience- very few.
Emac 8 years, 5 months ago
The people on this page that are insisting that the root of this crime problem stems from the social decay of our society, is only preaching to the choir. I believe we all agree that the Bahamas is suffering from a melt down or lack of good parentage etc. HOWEVER, the buck stops at the Minister of National Security, Dr. Bernard 'wutless' Nottage. I am sorry but he is a part of the team that fooled the people into believing that his party had the solution to this vexing crime problem. On top of that, they got in power and steal all the people money without even trying to make themselves look good by attempting to fix the problem. The government has the power to enact laws that would make everyone responsible citizens. The government can pass laws to protect its citizens and ENFORCE them. The government can put programs in place to help eliminate the decay in our society. And I ain talking about "Erbin" Renewal 2.0, where there is more stealing going on. But let's not kid ourselves: The PLP government came to power to enrich themselves, along with their cronies. So please stop stating the obvious and start putting this government feet to the coal. IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO GO NOW!
Emac 8 years, 5 months ago
Sorry I meant *parenting not parentage.
Cobalt 8 years, 5 months ago
Yup. That's true Emac.
Stapedius 8 years, 5 months ago
With all the chatter of who is to blame I can only say one thing. This one really sadness me. I didn't know the young lady but boy this one is hurtful. May God in his mercy take care of her children and comfort her family.
1Life2Live 8 years, 3 months ago
That country has slipped in the ABYSS! Serious, serious, serious intervention is needed REQUIRED even if its citizens do NOT agree! Either the CROWN or the United States MUST step in with its police force or National Guard to get that country back on track. If the IGNORANCE and empty ARROGANCE of the country were to continue, that country is destined to lose all INVESTORS and be REDUCED to not anything more than the CRIMINAL cesspool with all the HiShen and Jamaican ...now the new generation. Turning that country into the USELESS place Haiti and Jamaica are. HORRIFIC! You were better off to allow the Cuban refugees into the country. Bahamas is a sad, sad, sad state of affair. It all began with the election of Lynden Pindling back n 1967. You should have remained under the CROWN! Had you done, you would be in the better position than Bermuda. Clearly this murder is yet another paid execution. All these murders reflect paid executions. Soon someone is going to pay to have the executioners murdered and those that order the hits. All these innocent lives lost because the police and the bullshit courts legal entities are simply GARBAGE!!! TRAGIC!
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