By Matt Coleman
Miami, USA — Classmates. Teammates. Fraternity brothers.
Edward Waters College students Najee Culmer and Roberto Armenteros were the best of friends, their fraternity brothers said.
Armenteros even invited Culmer, a native Bahamian, to spend Thanksgiving at his parents’ home in Miami.
“They were like brothers,” said Perez Charlon, adviser of EWC’s Omega Psi Phi fraternity chapter. “We’re all close, but they were like blood.”
That bond was irreparably changed early Friday morning.
The pair was driving back to Armenteros’ home when they were involved in a crash.
Culmer was killed, and Armenteros was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with life-threatening injuries, Charlton said.
The Miami-Dade Police Department wasn’t available for comment Friday afternoon, and hospital officials declined to comment.
An EWC spokesman said a memorial and prayer service will be scheduled after students return from Thanksgiving break.
Charlton said the pair was nearly inseparable. They were both engineering majors and members of the school’s cross country team.
Fraternity members are reeling from the news. Grieving friends have posted tributes on the the Chi Chapter’s Facebook page, and four fraternity brothers have made the trip south to be with Armentero’s family, Charlton said.
“It doesn’t really make sense right now,” Charlton said. “They pledged together, and they were our most recent pledge class.
We tried to look after them. Now we’re just devastated.”
Bahamas Press offers condolence to the family of the victim and pray that Culmer’s soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
CRIME NEWS
Man on Andros Ave. Arrested with DRUG
Sometime around 3:20 pm on Friday 26th November, 2010 officers of the Northeastern Division were on routine patrol in the area of Andros Avenue and Adderley Alley when they observed a male acting suspiciously. Officers conducted a search of the male and recovered a quantity of suspected marijuana. The 32 year old of Palmetto Avenue was taken into custody. Police investigations continue.
More Marijuana Confiscated
Sometime around 12:00 noon on Friday 26th November, 2010 officers of the Central Detective Unit and the Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant on a home in Nassau Village and discovered twelve (12) lbs of suspected Marijuana. The drugs have a street value twelve ($12,000) thousand dollars. Three (3) males were taken into custody. Police investigations continue.
Superwash Robinson Road and Minnie Street Robbed Again
Sometime around 8:20 pm on Friday 26th November, 2010 police received information of an armed robbery at Superwash, Robinson Road and Minnie Street. Police responded and information received that two (2) males, wearing dark hooded jackets and short jeans pants entered the store allegedly armed with a handgun demanding cash. The culprit robbed the establishment of an undetermined amount of cash and fled the area in a gray 2004 Honda Accord L/P 2214888. Officers responding, while in the area of Minnie Street, observed the vehicle, gave chase and subsequently arrested a 27 year of New Hope Drive, Joan’s Heights. Police investigations continue.
Stabbing at Penny Savings Bank
Sometime around 8:15 pm on Friday 26th November, 2010 police received information of a stabbing at Penny Saving Bank, Lane off Wulff Road. Police responded and information received that two males’ ages 37 years and 38 years got into an altercation which resulted in the 38 year old being stabbed multiple times to the body. The victim was taken to hospital via EMS personnel where he is detained in stable condition. Police are questioning the 37 year old of Peardale in connection with this incident. Investigations continue.
Another man arrested for gum possession
Sometime around 8:30 pm on Friday 26th November, 2010 officers of the mobile division were on routine patrol in the Oakes Field area, when they observed a 1997 Ford Explorer L/P 231280 driven and occupied by a single male acting suspiciously in the parking lot of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Officers conducted a search of the SUV and recovered a handgun with ammunition. The 30 year old male of Burial Ground Corner was taken into custody. Police investigations continue.
Man Gunned Down on Lazaretto Road
Sometime around 9:45 pm on Friday 26th November, 2010 police received information of a shooting at Lazaretto Road off Carmichael Road. Police responded and information received that the victim, a 24 year old male of Golden Isles Road, was walking on Carmichael Road in the area of Lazaretto Road when he was approached by a male wearing a black hooded jacket, armed with a handgun demanding cash. The victim attempted to run and was subsequently shot to the back. The victim was taken to hospital via EMS personnel where he is detained in stable condition. Police are investigating.
Murder in Deans Lane
Sometime around 10:10 pm on Friday 26th November, 2010 police received information of a shooting at Nassau Street and Deans Lane. Police responded and information received that the deceased was at his residence when he was approached by three males one of whom was armed with a handgun. It is reported that the culprits called out to the deceased and while the deceased answered the door he was shot to the head. The 22 year old was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel. Police investigations continue.
Man Stabbed on Madeira Street
Sometime around 2:40 am on Saturday 27th November, 2010 police received information of a stabbing at Madeira Street. Police responded and information received that two males were walking on Montrose Avenue when they were attacked and beaten by a group of men, which resulted in a male of Pinewood Gardens being stabbed to the back. The victim was taken to hospital via EMS personnel where he is listed in stable condition. Police are investigating.
More weapons recovered by police
Sometime around 10:00 am on Saturday 27th November, 2010 officers of the Drug Enforcement Unit, acting on information proceeded to a bushy area on Hospital Lane where they recovered two high powered weapons with ammunition. No one was taken into custody. Police investigations continue.
Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm/ Ammunitions and Drugs report
On Saturday 25th November 2010 at 3:00 pm officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant on an apartment situated in Bootle Bay, Grand Bahama and discovered a bag containing a quantity of suspected marijuana and another black bag containing a chrome .357 Magnum revolver with six live rounds of ammunition. As a result five adult males of Grand Bahama were arrested for possession of dangerous drugs and possession of unlicensed firearm. This matter is under active investigations.
HOMICIDE/ DOUBLE SHOOTING
Sometime around 7:05 pm on Saturday 2010 police received information of a double shooting at Woodes Alley off Market Street. Police responded and discovered the lifeless body of a 22 year old male wearing a blue jacket, a gray shirt and pants with multiple gunshot injuries to the body. It is reported that the deceased along with another male were in front of a residence at Woodes Alley when they were approached by a burgundy four (4) door Nissan vehicle. It is further reported that a male armed with a firearm exited the rear passenger door and fired gunshots in the direction of both males which resulted in both males receiving gunshot injuries. The 22 year old was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel while the 32 year old was taken to hospital.
Moments later, police received information of a vehicle fire at St. Joseph Grave Yard, Tyler Street. Fire Services responded and met a 1994 burgundy Nissan Primera L/P 153612 engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished in a short period of time. Police also believe the vehicle is connected to the shooting at Woodes Alley. Investigations continue.
Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm report
On Sunday 28th November 2010 at 3:00 am officers from the Central Detective Unit stopped and searched a red 1997 Chevy truck while in the area of the International Bazaar Freeport Grand Bahama and a black 12 gauge shotgun was found. A male adult of Freeport Grand Bahama was arrested in connection with this matter. This matter is under active investigations.
