Politician Fatally Shot While Fleeing Masked Gunmen

A famous politician in the Bahamas was shot to death during an armed robbery on Wednesday. According to police, Don Saunders, a former parliamentarian and the deputy chairman of the Free National Movement Party, was caught in the crossfire between two men, who opened fire on people outside an unnamed business establishment close to the capital city of Nassau.

In a statement announcing the incident, the Royal Bahamas Police Force revealed that Saunders and some other customers were seated outside the business establishment when two masked gunmen approached them and demanded cash.

“The patrons reportedly panicked and fled for refuge, and as a result, the perpetrators opened fire,” the police’s news release read.

Saunders was shot in the upper torso and he died at the scene, as he reportedly “showed no vital signs of life” when emergency medical personnel arrived onscene.

Saunders was 49 at the time of his death. He was reportedly the only person killed in the incident.

Parliamentarian and FNM party leader Michael C. Pintard reported the news of the politician’s death in a post to X.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I report the shocking murder of our colleague and friend, FNM Dep. Chair Don Saunders. We are still gathering all of the facts as we come to grips with this tragedy. On behalf of my wife Berlice and I, I extend my deepest sympathies to Don’s family,” he wrote.

It's with a heavy heart that I report the shocking murder of our colleague and friend, FNM Dep. Chair Don Saunders. We are still gathering all of the facts as we come to grips with this tragedy. On behalf of my wife Berlice and I, I extend my deepest sympathies to Don's family.

— Michael C. Pintard (@PintardMP) March 28, 2024

Prime Minister Philip Davis also reacted to the death, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic reports that Don Saunders, Former Member of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of the FNM, has been killed. My wife Ann and I extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to his wife, Tiffany, children, family, friends and colleagues during this time. I ask that as the investigation is carried out, we respect the family and allow them space to grieve.”

I am deeply saddened by the tragic reports that Don Saunders, Former Member of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of the FNM, has been killed. My wife Ann and I extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to his wife, Tiffany, children, family, friends and colleagues during this time.…

— Philip Brave Davis (@HonPhilipEDavis) March 28, 2024

Saunders’ passing was also mourned by the Bahamas Aquatics Federation, which praised him as a “long-time supporter of our national teams” and “a friend of our community for more than 10 years.”

“We are deeply saddened with this loss and are comforted in the words of Psalm 34:1: The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. These words encourage us and will motivate Team Bahamas to dig deep and show The Bahamas that it is indeed the young people that are doing dynamic things to save our Nation from this scourge of needless crime. We have to do better,” the federation wrote in a statement.

No arrests have been made in the shooting as at the time this report was published. The suspects had gotten away in his car, a gray 2014 Nissan.