The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Another violent act in the capital Nassau, Bahamas, has once again left another family in mourning. It has left another young man dead at the hands of vicious animals.

Jermaine Edwards, my little cousin, was gunned down on his way to work on September 16, 2019, shortly after 6am in the Johnson Road area. He was a mere five minutes from his home.

Early reports suggest that he was ambushed by a thug or thugs who were waiting for him as he passed a particular point. Obviously when he realised the impending danger he ran and the shooter or shooters ran after him. He had no chance.

In what appeared to be a very meticulous execution style hit, my ‘lil cous’ became another victim to the gun violence that has taken a firm hold of our nation. His body was riddled with bullets.

Neighbours, family members and friends heard the shots as they rang out on that fateful morning. But at the time no one could have known that it was our beloved Donut who would have been the recipient of this never ceasing violence on our streets.

Donut’s story is all too familiar. His story represents a vicious cycle where persons are killed and the family is left desperately searching for answers. I personally see my lil cousin every other week and I don’t know of anyone that he has crooked, threatened or owes money to.

He was a straight up guy who took care of his family. He was a striving young man who took his job at the hospital seriously and he was well loved.

I was dumbfounded when I heard news of his demise. A lot of people were. The community is in a silent uproar.

My condolences goes out to his mother, his siblings, his children, his significant other, the Johnson Road Community and all the people who loved him.

I was of the view that violence of this nature was reserved for killers and animals, not an ordinary citizen who goes to work everyday, is always home, stays out of trouble and is an iconic family man. The way they killed my ‘lil cous’ is shockingly unbelievable. They killed him worse than a dog in the streets. He was totally undeserving of this.

Romans 12 verse 19 says: “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord”. I think this means that Donut’s killer or killers will have to answer to God. In times like these we all have to find the strength to put our trust in a higher power. As I shed tears and my body is filled with grief as I conclude this letter, I want Donut’s family and friends to remember that God is still able and he is still in control. Rest in peace ‘lil cous’.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS

Nassau,

September 17, 2019.