One man was killed and another seriously wounded in separate weekend shootings that officials described as unrelated.
Police, however, have provided few details.
Jareem Todman, 34, was shot multiple times at the Market Square in Road Town shortly after 4 a.m. on Sunday, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a short press release issued Monday.
About seven hours earlier, a man was shot multiple times shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday in the vicinity of the Omar Hodge Fishing Wharf in Baughers Bay, police said Sunday. He was transported to the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital by a private vehicle and was in stable condition as of Sunday afternoon, police said.
They have not provided any further information about either incident.
Mr. Todman was a father, athlete and businessman who served as CEO of the boat tour company Presidential Charters.
He was widely mourned in the community and on social media, and on Monday night singer Aaron Parillon dedicated a performance of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” to him at the Festival Village.
‘Premeditated’ violence
The shootings prompted a special Monday meeting of the National Security Council, which is chaired by the governor and also includes the premier, the communications and works minister, the attorney general and the police commissioner.
During the meeting, police updated the NSC on the incidents and their ongoing investigations.
“Based on the briefing from the [police], the two incidents were allegedly premeditated and calculated acts of violence,” the council noted in a post-meeting statement. “NSC is working with other law enforcement and criminal justice partners, inclusive of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, to address the root cause of this and other types of crime.”
The council also praised the “quick response” by the police and offered its “full support” for the ongoing investigation, according to the statement.
“Crime prevention requires community effort,” the council added. “The NSC therefore calls on each citizen to play his/her role in the prevention and detection of crime.”
Festival season
The council also called for peace during the August Emancipation Festival season.
“Any criminal, antisocial or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated,” the statement added.
“Police presence at and around the festival activities and throughout the BVI will be enhanced to include road checks and stops and searches on land and on sea.”
Any member of the public who sees anything suspicious is urged to report it to the police.
Crime Stoppers hotline
Police are also asking anyone with information about the recent shootings or other crime in the territory to contact the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline by calling 800-8477 (TIPS) locally or 1-284-800-8477 from overseas.
The police Intelligence Unit can also be reached directly at 368-9339.
“All information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” police pledged.