Friday, June 19, 2020
By EARYEL BOWLEG
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
SINGER Sammi Starr begged gunmen "Please don't kill me in front of my family" as he was robbed outside his home while his children called his name.
The musician told of “the worse experience” of being robbed at gunpoint as his children called “Daddy”.
“All I was saying and praying to God was ‘Please don't kill me in front of my family’,” the singer said on his Facebook page early Friday morning as he told of being robbed by two men.
He admitted he tried not to say anything about what happened but the situation was “so heavy on my heart” and expressed sympathy for others who’ve been a victim of such crime.
“Earlier tonight I was made to get out of my wife's car, lay on the ground face down and be robbed at gunpoint; an experience I thought I'd never have to go through.
"What’s worse is, where did this take place, in front of my home...with my children at some points looking outside saying ‘Daddy’ not realising what was happening.”
He added: “Two young men, no older than 17, politely walked up to me, cocked their pistol in my face, pulled me out of the car, made me lay down face first onto the street in my quiet, one-way street neighbourhood and proceeded to rob me, asking me questions about what I had, my life, and at this point I'm lost words; for anything but life."
After about three minutes of searching his pockets and car, the culprits grabbed the hat off Mr Starr’s head, threw it down and ran away.
The singer said he called his friend Freddie Slugger Lightbourne, who sent officers, and four cars came within about 15 minutes. Kyle Walkine, another friend, was visiting a neighbour and both Mr Walkine and the neighbour came over and stayed until the police left.
When his wife and children realised what happened, he said they were terrified. Mr Starr said he still cannot believe what he went through, but is thankful to God he survived.
“I'm telling you, the worst experience I've ever had was this... what made it worse was knowing they were all right inside, inside of the home on the street where I was laying face down with a gun pointed to my back/head,” he said.
“I still can't believe I went through this, but I'm no better than anyone else. So I'm thankful. I still believe it will get better."
Comments
geostorm says...
And people get angry at the police when they shoot 3 young thugs. These young thugs are creating harvoc on the streets and innocent people are made to suffer!
So sorry that you and your family had to experience this Sammy Star. We are better than this!
Posted 20 June 2020, 4:22 a.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
Exactly! But I’ve come to realize a long time ago that the only people who complain and cry when police kill these worthless criminals are the criminal element themselves. The police needs to kill all of them! No one worthwhile will miss them.
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:10 a.m. Suggest removal
themessenger says...
The only people who get angry when the police shoot them are the ones who shelter and support them also profiting from their ill gotten and often blood drenched gains. Personally, I shed few tears when I kill a cockroach or a rat.
Posted 20 June 2020, 6:39 a.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
My point exactly!
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:10 a.m. Suggest removal
Godson says...
I am terribly sorry for the terror Mr. Sammy Starr and his family went through, as well as, the neighborhood within which the crime took place.
This unfortunate incident highlights that there are essentially many missing social parts, tools and qualified and wiling social mechanics to repair and restore self pride, love, dignity and integrity in our youths.
The leaders that are at the helm of Our Country (both FNM & PLP), do not possess the parts, the tools nor the skills to address these ills. A leader can only lead us as far as they themselves have been and gone.
Posted 20 June 2020, 8:47 a.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
Please stop blaming the government for other people’s choices! God gave every man and woman the choice to do right or wrong! Each choice lies in that individual’s keeping. What does the government have to do with me choosing to pull a gun on you?!?! The only thing the government can do is prosecute murderers within the boundaries of the law! If you want to blame someone, blame the offender!
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:16 a.m. Suggest removal
Godson says...
I too would pull a gun and rob if I wasn't taught better. I too would revert to crime if I didn't know that hard work compensates in more ways than monetary reward. But for the grace of God, there goes I.
**THESE PERSONS WERE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES FOR ME. Mr. Norman Solomon; Dr, Norman Gay; Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling; Sir Franklyn Wilson.**
They put Country before self.
These youths never had someone to teach them about the "God given choices" let alone to weigh the facts in the balance as to what is right and wrong, or, what is helpful from what is not.
Stop hiding under some anonymous name criticizing and condemning our youths for what you do not know a thing about. Get off the sidelines and get involve with social and moral transformation of our youths.
You don't know the real and hard side of life. I DO! and, I have overcome and will be real in the deal.
Posted 20 June 2020, 10:13 a.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
But you don’t know who I am either to make such statements! Both my brother and I operate a Boys Club in Nassau to influence adolescent teens! That’s how I know that too many of these homes are in disarray! We actually funded the Hugh Campbell Basketball Tournament as well as the Public Primary School Track and Field Meet! So what do you contribute??? You don’t know what I’ve had to contend with any more than I know what you’ve had to contend with! Furthermore, you’ve just unwittingly solidified my point! A rough upbringing is no excuse for criminal behavior! Like you said, many of our prominent men grew up on the rough side of the mountain yet did exceptionally well for themselves! There are no excuses in this life and there are no excuses before God!
Posted 20 June 2020, 12:31 p.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
Our grandparents and great grandparents had less tools, social conveniences and money than we ever had. They grew up in poverty and thru faith lived day by day. They believed in hard work and an honest days pay! But one thing they did have was respect for others!
The only “mechanic” that is missing in today’s society is proper parenting! Raise up a child in the fear, wisdom and nurture of God, and as he grows he will not depart from it! The HOMES are the root of the crime problem! They lack moral construct and responsibility! Speak the truth and call it what it is!
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:30 a.m. Suggest removal
Godson says...
Our grandparents and great grandparents did not have to confront and deal with the many social and moral distractions and anti-social forces in the form of social media including radio and television... not to mention the broken and corrupt government and wayward pastors and priests.
Posted 20 June 2020, 10:27 a.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
Social and moral distraction???? Social media???? Who’s problem is that if you are controlled by such things??? When we stand before God he’s not going to ask us about what some pastor or priest said! Every generation has distractions to deal with! It sounds like you are trying to cast blame on surrounding circumstances regarding ones social environment in an attempt mitigate unacceptable behavior! Either way, it doesn’t matter. If personal circumstances and perception are able to influences your position as it relates to moral, then that means you never had moral to begin with! All it means is that wherever the tide or wind blows, that’s the direction you would follow! And if that’s the case, then your personal character is flawed! No matter what age or timeline one lives in, he/she will always have moral and ethical dilemmas to contend with. But if you have a good foundation and you are grounded in truth as it relates to moral, then you will not me moved! Don’t try and blame circumstances for someone who lacks basic principles. If someone lacks principles then they are responsible for that deficit, not surrounding circumstances! We are all responsible for our own actions buddy!
Posted 20 June 2020, 12:11 p.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
@Godson: Suggest you stop making lame excuses for criminals who carry a gun with the intent of stealing from someone else, assaulting them or possibly taking their life. And by the way, since when does someone's poor upbringing or poor molding by "social and moral distractions and anti-social forces" somehow excuse or justify criminal violence, or entitle a criminal to any kind of free pass or less severe punishment under the law, in instances where assault was committed with a deadly weapon? We would all like to think we deserve to live in a civilised society where public safety matters and proper law enforcement ensures criminals are kept in check to avoid the outbreak of anarchy.
Posted 20 June 2020, 12:25 p.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
I’m trying to figure out what he’s talking about right now!
Posted 20 June 2020, 12:32 p.m. Suggest removal
Godson says...
Don't worry yourself for now as to your confusion because, from your earlier reply, I can see and appreciate the vacancy within you of knowledge.
Posted 20 June 2020, 1 p.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
No no no! There is no vacancy of knowledge here! We are simply telling you that there is no excuse for criminal behavior nor should you mitigate that fact! Furthermore, who would “appreciate a vacancy of knowledge”? That makes absolutely no sense. Maybe you should have used the word “acknowledge” instead of “appreciate”. Either way, if your reasoning had any credibility, then the magistrate wouldn’t be sentencing gun-totting criminals to jail! So I ask you again; what do you contribute to the betterment of our youth??? People like you just run their mouths out of a misplaced sense of emotions..... then you get upset when others correct you! When you have the opportunity, go sit in the Supreme Court and listen to a murder trail! The judge would reiterate the same thing I’m saying!
Posted 20 June 2020, 11:25 p.m. Suggest removal
meshacksc@gmail.com says...
Mr. Starr I am very sorry to hear about your painful experience. The police is doing a great job in apprehending and getting rid of these scum bags, who terrify our country. Police I support you 110%. When warrented get rid of the criminals. These heathens do not fear God nor man.
Furthermore, no citizen of this country should be in possession of an un-licensed firearm - period.
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:25 a.m. Suggest removal
Proguing says...
Thank you to the police for sending 4 cars within 15 minutes!
Posted 20 June 2020, 10:21 a.m. Suggest removal
Godson says...
Hopefully this is not seen as a favor to the public but rather a duty to respond.
Posted 20 June 2020, 10:32 a.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
I remember Comrade Sammi, more for his biting with a red coats campaign message coating of anti-PLP songs voice, and some might say as to what motivation, or on behalf of whom or whatever remains still to this June 2020 day an open-source subject to invite fresh debate?
Comrade King's Counsel Freddy too has all but faded into the background politely tucked away from the politically relevant scene. Nod Once for Yeah, Twice for No?
Posted 20 June 2020, 12:50 p.m. Suggest removal
truetruebahamian says...
Please stop this nodding nonsense, no one nods- we just shake our heads and wonder what you've been bibbin' on!
Posted 20 June 2020, 2:01 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
No problem Ma Comrade True. In the meantime. Comrade Sammi is a gifted native singer and all happy he nor family experienced physical harm. **Text 1 for Yeah, 2 for No?**
Posted 20 June 2020, 2:10 p.m. Suggest removal
truetruebahamian says...
Sammii, I hope that better days are ahead. So much of young troubled youth only get direction from the United States and useless macho attitudes. Everyone can contribute something positive to our national narrative - however it is a fact that some do these deeds out of adventure and not duress. Those who are their mentors and figures of leadership and who portray these methods to follow are as sick and as culpable as those who perpetrate these stupid and dangerous deeds.
Posted 20 June 2020, 2:08 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
I had the experience of being robbed at gun point. Thee were three. The biggest concern was the one holding the gun to my head was shaking so much no telling what he would do as he was overcome with nervousness or fear. Then as they were leaving he un butted me three or four times until I lay fell to the ground like I was ‘knock out’.’ So if I appear ‘off’ sometimes, it may be brain damage. And the trauma follows you for years. If you find someone looking at you or see someone acting extra friendly you panic and break in cold sweat
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:15 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
Execute all the criminal filth.
Posted 20 June 2020, 9:50 p.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
Doing so would wipe out more than half of our parliamentarians.
Posted 21 June 2020, 10:32 a.m. Suggest removal
Godson says...
We'll start with you!
Posted 21 June 2020, 4:29 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
🥱 It would be fitting if you and your family were visited by one of these feral animals.
Posted 21 June 2020, 7:44 p.m. Suggest removal
Cobalt says...
@Godson. Why are you so sympathetic towards these gun-totting criminals??? Do you have relatives or family members who have been charged and sentenced for such crimes??? It’s been historically noted that family members of criminals usually sympathize with the criminal element while law abiding citizens usually advocate for the death penalty. Hmmm 🤔
Posted 22 June 2020, 6:47 a.m. Suggest removal
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