By Leandra Rolle

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN Abaco man who had been on the run for seven years is believed to be among the Bahamians connected to a deadly drug operation in Haiti — with his family now desperate for answers about his whereabouts and whether he is still alive.

Rashad Fox, 37, of Sandy Point, Abaco, had not been seen in the country since police issued a wanted poster for him in connection with the 2018 murder of his cousin Mario Sawyer.

Sawyer was reportedly shot after an altercation outside a nightclub, and his body was later found on a beach in Crossing Rocks.

Fox’s name recently resurfaced after reports linked him to a deadly drug bust in Haiti last weekend, which left three men dead — including well-known Abaco residents Shadrack Stuart and Joey Russell, who later died at a clinic.

The identity of the third deceased man remains unconfirmed. Some speculate whether Fox survived, escaping on another vessel.

Yesterday, his mother, Felicha Fox, told The Tribune she has spoken with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, but has received no definitive information. 

She said she was informed her son may have been among the men killed in Haiti, but no one has seen a body or received official confirmation. 

Russell’s relatives, who also spoke to The Tribune, claimed Joey had told a friend he watched all of his companions, including Rashad, get shot.

“I don’t know the story. I’m hoping and wishing that he’s alive. I’m praying to the Almighty. We’re looking for answers. We’re hurting,” she said.

News of Rashad’s possible death has sparked a firestorm on social media, with some calling it “justice” for his alleged involvement in Sawyer’s killing. 

Sawyer’s mother, Pastor Paula Arnett, condemned those celebrating, saying she takes no pleasure in the tragedy. 

“Everyone is talking and people are saying ‘oh, you get justice.’ I don’t call that justice.’ Justice is not gloating,” Pastor Arnett said.

“Because how is it that I can take pleasure. Even if he wasn’t my cousin, that mother is feeling pain. That mother is hurting. That mother now has to find finances to go to another country if she can retrieve her son’s body.”

Having lost her own son to gun violence, Pastor Arnett said only those who’ve experienced such grief can truly understand the pain.

She said she has since forgiven Fox, attributing this to her faith.

“People don’t understand,” she said. “It isn’t easy. There are sleepless night. I get plenty phone calls I said, ‘How can you be happy?’ and I’m crying.”

Meanwhile, Ms Fox had this response to the negative social media chatter: “You don’t rejoice over nothing because you never know what’s going to happen to you.”

Reflecting on the 2018 killing, she admitted the incident hurt her deeply, but claimed it was accidental.

“He didn’t mean to do it but he should’ve turned himself in because he didn’t mean to do it but that was his choice and I couldn’t talk to him because he’s his own man.”

Ms Fox described her son as kind-hearted and generous.

“He ain’t a bad person. He’s just trying to make ends meet.”