Historic criminal trial on Bonaire: seven court days for the murder of Clayshenou Domacassé

KRALENDIJK - The court on Bonaire is making history. For the first time, no fewer than seven court days have been scheduled for the substantive hearing of a single criminal case. From August 24 through September 1, the extensive criminal case Galápagos will take centre stage: the investigation into the violent death of 15-year-old Clayshenou Domacassé.

By Caribisch Netwerk | Nathaly Evertsz

Clayshenou Domacassé lost his life on June 8, 2025, after being struck by a bullet in the head during a shooting in front of a nightclub. The incident, during which dozens of shots were fired in public, deeply shocked Bonaire. Prosecutor Daan Smits previously described the events as ‘a Wild West scene’.

The shooting marked the beginning of one of the largest criminal investigations Bonaire has ever seen. Using surveillance footage, police were able to identify and arrest multiple suspects. A significant number of them have since been convicted of offences including the illegal possession of firearms.

Investigation Galápagos
The investigation into the fatal shooting, codenamed Galápagos, proved to be exceptionally complex. According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the suspects remained almost entirely silent throughout the investigation. "They don’t talk, not even about their enemies," prosecutor Smits previously stated about the suspects’ attitude.

Since the fatal shooting, the OM has conducted an extensive investigation. The case was reviewed pro forma on multiple occasions while the criminal file continued to grow. Two weeks ago, the OM submitted the final file to the court and to defence attorneys Marga van Lieshout, Selvin Larmonie and Edward Winkel, who represent various suspects. Although some documents are still being added to the file, the court considers the case ready for substantive hearing.

Ten suspects
A total of ten suspects are standing trial: C.D., O.C., JM.W., J.S., Q.d.P., U.S., J.V.R., G.S., J.W. and M.S. Due to the scale of the case, not only the courtroom will be used. The court will also deploy a second location where members of the public can follow the proceedings via a video link. One of the suspects is a minor who was 15 years old at the time of the offences. In accordance with the law, their part of the hearing will take place behind closed doors.

To keep the proceedings manageable, suspects will be divided into groups based on the various sections of the file. In addition, the judge will hear each suspect individually regarding their personal circumstances.

Witness under protection
Notably, the prosecution has placed a key witness in a witness protection programme. This measure has been taken to ensure the safety of the witness. The death of Clayshenou Domacassé shocked Bonaire and led to one of the largest criminal investigations in recent years. More than a year after the fatal shooting, the court now faces the task of substantively assessing the extensive file. The seven-day hearing underscores the exceptional nature of this criminal case.