By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ONE day after a news report highlighting the police’s apparent failure to disclose a fatal traffic accident involving their loved one, Gihano Moss, the victim’s family claims officers raided their home in what they believe was an act of retaliation.

Moss, 30, was reportedly killed in a collision near Saunders Beach around 2am on January 27. Frustrated by the lack of police communication about the incident, his family publicly called for a thorough investigation in an interview with Eyewitness News. The following day, while they were grieving and planning his funeral, a dozen armed officers reportedly descended on their Gamble Heights residence, claiming to be executing a search warrant.

Sharine Williams, Moss’s aunt, had obtained CCTV footage from a nearby business showing her nephew riding his motorcycle when he collided head-on with a car, sending him airborne. After days of silence from authorities, she expressed her concerns in a televised interview.

The next afternoon, as relatives gathered at their home, police officers allegedly entered the property from multiple directions. According to Ms Williams, one officer approached her in the front yard and remarked: “You think I ain’t see you on the news?” She said she responded: “Yes. I didn’t say anything wrong.”

What followed, she said, was a chaotic and distressing ordeal. Officers allegedly ordered family members not to move, and both Ms Williams and her niece were handcuffed. She said despite informing police that one of her sisters had a heart condition, their concerns were ignored.

Her niece, who was in the bathroom at the time, was reportedly forced outside in handcuffs before she could properly dress herself. When she asked officers for information, they claimed to be executing a search warrant related to stolen vehicles, drugs, and firearms at Moss’s mother’s house.

Ms Williams said police also showed the warrant to her grieving sister, whose devastation was compounded by the intrusion. “My sister is mourning, but they came with a search warrant while she has a disabled child in bed,” she said.

The two women were eventually released from handcuffs after 30 minutes.

Ms Williams claimed that Moss had no criminal record and said the only family member with past legal trouble was a nephew who was convicted of housebreaking three years ago and is currently serving his sentence.

She noted that while police had occasionally visited their yard, they had never conducted such an aggressive operation. Given the timing, she believes the raid was punishment for speaking out.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which has been plagued by corruption scandals. Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles has pledged to uphold high standards of conduct among officers.

Ms Williams said her family only learned of Moss’s accident through a passenger in the involved vehicle, not from authorities. The driver, who had known Moss for years, reportedly admitted responsibility.

While the family acknowledged that accidents happen, they are demanding a proper investigation. Ms Williams questioned why it took police so long to retrieve the vehicles involved and expressed anger that the driver has yet to offer condolences to Moss’s mother.

Following the Eyewitness News report, police reportedly scheduled a meeting with the family today at the Road Traffic Department.

As of press time yesterday, police officials had not responded to The Tribune’s requests for comment.