UPDATED: Three in custody over murder of Customs officer

Sunday, April 3, 2016

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THREE people are in custody for questioning by police in connection with the murder of Kevin Hanna, a senior revenue officer with the Department of Customs in Grand Bahama.

Mr Hanna, 49, of Churchill Road, was discovered shortly after 5pm on Thursday suffering from gunshot wounds to the body. He was rushed by EMS personnel to Rand Memorial Hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

It is believed that when Mr Hanna arrived home he was confronted and shot by thieves. His wife, Paula, and their daughter, T’Shura, were said to be off the island at the time attending a church conference.

Police expect charges to be filed early this week in connection with the incident.

On Friday, Customs officers gathered at the hospital after learning that their colleague had been shot. They were distraught on receiving the tragic news that he did not survive.

Psychologist Dr Pamela Mills provided grief-counselling sessions for grieving customs officers at the C A Smith Complex.

Sherick Martin, assistant comptroller of customs in charge of Grand Bahama, Bimini and Abaco, expressed deep sadness over the “senseless” murder of Mr Hanna at a press conference on Friday.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and friend … whose life was snatched away by evil men, but whose spirit remains a bulwark and stands as a testimony to those of us who knew him,” he said.

“Words are indeed inadequate for me to express our grief and sorrow of this senseless act for someone who embodies the true spirit of a Bahamian son, husband, father and friend, and although we mourn his passing we are confident that his good example will live long thereafter.”

Some officers who attended the conference broke down in tears and had to be comforted by fellow colleagues.

Mr Hanna joined the Department of Customs on May 1, 1987, and rose through the ranks through hard work, dedication, honesty and a commitment to succeed, Mr Martin said. He described Mr Hanna as intelligent, honest, and very reliable, possessing the virtues of a good civil servant.

Mr Hanna was currently stationed at the Freeport Harbour. During his career, he had served in Nassau, West End, Grand Bahama, and Eleuthera.

“His contribution to our Bahamaland will be etched in our memories. He served with distinction within the Customs Department where his service was required at the Freeport Harbour and where he would have met most of the residents arriving on the ferry vessels and business men throughout northern Bahamas,” he said.

Mr Martin extended condolences on behalf of the comptroller of customs, the executive staff, officers and members to Mr Hanna’s wife, daughter, mother Mildred and his entire family.

In other crime news, one of two men wanted in connection with the shooting death of a man at the Fish Fry in Smith’s Point on Thursday morning has turned himself in to police.

Police said the suspect surrendered to officers at the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama on Friday, but another suspect is still at large.

Tremmeco Johnson, 20, of Frobisher Circle, was shot at the Fish Fry early Thursday morning. He was taken to hospital where he died.

Yesterday, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said police are continuing their investigations into both incidents and other homicides.

He said they are still searching for suspects in connection with the March 21 shooting incident in an area in Grand Bahama known as “the ghetto” where three persons were shot. A man and a woman died in that incident, while another woman is still in hospital.

He said police did not have a motive or suspect for the shooting death of a man in Eight Mile Rock on Sunday morning.

“These recent homicides are in fact major concern to us . . . These heinous acts of violence are perpetrated by misguided persons who have no regard for the sanctity of life or their fellow human being,” he said yesterday.

“I want to reassure the families of these victims and the wider community that we remain committed in our resolve to bring these perpetrators to justice,” Mr Seymour said.

Comments

John says...

How did the Bahamas ever get to this?

Posted 2 April 2016, 2:12 a.m. Suggest removal

Godson says...

We ask this question (How did the Bahamas ever get to this?) but are we prepared to accept responsibility for our roles and contributions towards it getting to this deteriorated state?

Aspects that are at the heart of it are hate, scorn and resentment towards each other.

There are too many high places in the Country. Imagery which operates to separate and widen the socio-economic gaps between the people. And this is even the case when it comes to persons being able to obtain the most basic humanitarian needs.

Information and education is seemingly thought to be worthy of dissemination only among a select class or few. Then when the crisis, as such, which is a result of the marginalizing and alienating others, hits home to those close tom us, we then sooth ourselves by asking this sort of questions.

On Easter morning too, a businessman was killed on Kemp Road. He left behind a wife and two small children to care for. Was there any comparative outcry? No, he was a dispensable Bahamian.

We all can begin a turn around with compassion and empathy. For starters, we can begin by saying, "but for the grace of God,... there goes I". The one-man-up-man-ship mentality needs to be condemn and put away from like a loathsome disease, i.e. leprosy, AIDS, rabies and the likes.

Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson

Posted 2 April 2016, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal

There are many Bahamians who are qualified to ask the question "HOW DID WE GET TO THIS?" Despite the rot and deterioration that is happening in this country, and around the world for that matter, there have been many Bahamians who have been in the trenches from day one. They have been trying to rescue this country and turn it away from the path of destruction. Some have asked, "How could the Bahamas call itself a Christian nation with all of these vices going on?" The gambling, the drugs, the casualness of sex, the destruction of the family and the lack of respect and acknowledgement of God, even by the government of the country. Well that is exactly why these things are happening. The Christ that is left in this country is under attack. The prayer warriors are under attack and the keepers of the gate have grown wary. Satan does not attack people who are doing his will. "Ephesians 6:12English Standard Version (ESV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places... The saints may grow wary and cry out, how long O lord before you revenge the spilling of innocent blood.
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But God is still in control as the psalmists reminds us, "Psalm 91:1-16 ESV /

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day."

WE weep now for those who have had their lives snuffed out and who have been taken away. But weeping may endure for a night, buy joy will come with the morning light. Evil may appear to be winning, but one Day that trumpet will sound. The trumpet of the Lord will sound. Where will your soul be on The Lord's DAY? amen.

Posted 3 April 2016, 9:47 a.m. Suggest removal

Yeah..you are qualified to ask the question "HOW DID WE GET TO THIS?"; and I'll bet you are also qualified to throw the first stone as well... Right?

Posted 4 April 2016, 9:47 a.m. Suggest removal

JJSherman says...

This is a very sad thing that happened, as a nation we have to change of our evil ways for God to bless this beautiful country, too many ungodly things are going on in the Bahamas, I saw this years ago, I spoke of what was to come to this nation, and everything that I have spoken is coming into play. I left the Bahamas in 1975 because of the evil and separation of the "Haves and the have not's" We don't do right by one another, and that is the making of crimes and destruction that's going on in our country. Do right by one another and by those who has chosen to bless our shores, and in doing so our God will show his mercy upon our land and it's citizens.

Posted 2 April 2016, 11:44 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Who (and why) killed this "honest, intelligent and reliable" civil servant???????? ............ anything to do with drugs and guns??????? ............... just a hunch

Posted 2 April 2016, 5:25 p.m. Suggest removal

Given the absolute assertion of his character by Sheeprunner12, it seems to me that Sheeprunner12 knew the Officer very well. Perhaps Sheeprunner12 can also shed some light on the questions he asked as well. Was there guns or illicit drugs involved Sheeprunner12?

Posted 4 April 2016, 9:45 a.m. Suggest removal

No ........... I have been observing the goings on in GB for the past month

Posted 4 April 2016, 11:43 a.m. Suggest removal

Having already stated that the deceased was an " "honest, intelligent and reliable" civil servant"... then going forward, and with respect to the bereaved family, we ought to be cautious that our comments don't implicate or impugn the Officer's character otherwise.

Posted 4 April 2016, 12:11 p.m. Suggest removal

Godson .......... please don't be so naïve about what a boss says about someone after he/she dies .......... wait until the truth is revealed ...... I hope this officer was not killed for some nefarious reason (but you cannot rule out anything these days)

Posted 4 April 2016, 1:39 p.m. Suggest removal

I apologize for not having said it at first in my earlier comment but my sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved family.

Posted 4 April 2016, 9:55 a.m. Suggest removal