By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net 

A WEEKEND of gun violence drew sharp reactions from political and religious leaders yesterday, with a prominent pastor describing the country as a “war zone” and urging unity to “fight this demon”.

Their comments came after police reported three homicides over the weekend, including a mass shooting that left two dead and five others injured. A third man was killed in a separate shooting hours later on Saturday.

Bishop Walter Hanchell, in a post on Facebook, yesterday condemned the latest killings as “unacceptable”, saying the time for action was needed.

Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard also expressed deep concern over the state of crime in the country, saying he lacks confidence that legislators will make a difference in the fight against crime.

Prime Minister Philip Davis credited police for their efforts to keep crime down but blamed the recent violence on a “few individuals” determined to “terrorise” the streets.

He also issued a stern warning to those harbouring criminals, urging them to surrender these individuals to the police.

Bishop Hanchell said more needs to be done.

“Punishment is far too lenient to bring any change in the behaviour of the ruthless thugs that terrorise the Bahamas,” Bishop Hanchell said.

“Rehabilitation has not been effective. We live in a lawless country. Corruption is rife. Those wishing to remain silent and do nothing may choose to do so for whatever reason. I am very disturbed, upset and angry at what is happenning in The Bahamas today.” 

He said while crime and other ills are rampant, many church leaders remain silent instead of becoming the agents of change and appealed to the religious community to do more. He added: “I cannot rest while our young men are slaughtering each other on our streets daily and our children are being sexually assaulted. Our women are being beaten and raped and incest is on the rise. Suicides have increased.”

Bishop Hanchell continued: “Poverty has increased, homeless mothers with their children are living in their cars or abandoned buildings. This is happening more frequently than at any other time in our nation’s history.”

“An increasing amount of mentally challenged men who are dishevelled and really dirty, continue to roam our streets like animals. They are constantly being neglected and rejected by the state and church. This is shameful.”