CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- THE family of Dinzey Llewellyn Ryan is mourning today following his tragic death after he was gunned down last evening (Oct. 6) in the Nisbett Settlement area of Newcastle, Nevis.
The incident, which occurred between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., prompted a swift response from police officers. Upon arrival, they found Ryan lying motionless on the ground, with multiple gunshot wounds to his body.
Authorities revealed that preliminary investigations indicate Ryan was shot several times by an armed assailant shortly after he exited his vehicle near his home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
This incident marks the 27th homicide in the Federation for 2024.
Over the past few months, the Federation has experienced a "surge" in homicides, building on last year's record of over 30 murders. The trend has prompted action from the government and law enforcement agencies. In response, officials from the Ministry of National Security, the Police Force, the Coast Guard, and the Defence Force have been collaborations aimed at curbing violent crime.
The government’s approach has included measures such as stop-and-search operations, targeted raids, and enhanced community patrols. These efforts have led to the seizure of several illegal firearms and the arrest of a number of individuals.
However, concerns persist over how these illegal weapons continue to enter the Federation undetected.
The issue of illegal firearms is not isolated to the Federation; it is a region-wide problem. The United States has pledged support to help Caribbean nations tackle the crisis. According to the Bahamas Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, 70 percent of the region’s homicides are committed using firearms—considerably higher than the global average of 30 percent.
Within the Federation, the percentage is even more alarming. Data from 2022 show that 81 percent of homicides involved the use of firearms. Former Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brand back in 2022 confirmed that 17 out of the 21 homicides recorded in the Federation in the prior years were gun-related. Unfortunately, this number has continued to rise since then.
Authorities remain determined to curb the deadly trend through increased law enforcement presence and ongoing collaboration with international partners to combat the illicit trade of firearms.
