The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

POLICE in Grand Bahama are following significant leads into the island’s first murder for 2019 and are appealing to persons to come forward with any information that can further assist them.

Lester Eugene Adderley, 58, of Hawaii Avenue, Freeport was shot on Sunday while at East Atlantic Drive. Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler, officer-in-charge of Grand Bahama, said police are working diligently to bring closure to the matter.

“When you talk about the criminal act of murder it is a life that has been lost and can never be recovered, and the police department is working diligently, and we are following significant leads into that,” he said.

He stressed that no one has a right to take a life.

“Life is very precious and the loss of life creates a whole lot of grief,” said ACP Butler.

Referring to murder statistics for the northern Bahamas in 2018, he noted that murder was reduced by 31 percent in the region in 2018.

“Any life lost is a concern to the police department. We had six occurring in Grand Bahama, four in Abaco, and one in Bimini.

“We are pleased we were able to suppress it in 2018, and we look to further reduce murders in 2019,” ACP Butler said.

“We had six senseless killings (in 2018) and we are following some significant leads into our first murder for 2019, and we look forward to bringing some closure to that event,” he said.

According to reports, shortly after midnight on Sunday, January 13, police received a report of gunshots in the area of East Atlantic Drive. When a team of officers arrived they saw a man’s body on the ground at the former Gwen’s Plaza.

Adderley was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

ACP Butler appealed for information on this or any other crime.

“We appeal to the community to connect with the police department. We know there are some things happening on the ground in our community as it relates to criminal behaviour.

“We know they are well aware of what is going on and we ask you to speak to the police department as some of these events can be circumvented with the public’s help,” he said.