A man and a woman were charged on Friday with the murders of David Springette and Shawn Richards, who were both shot and killed earlier this year on Tortola, police said.
Shakeel Ryan, 22, and Shakilla Hanley, 29, were charged for the murders by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Major Crime Team. They were also charged with an additional count of attempted murder in the case of Mr. Springette.
Both Ms. Hanley and Mr. Ryan live in Long Look in Tortola, and Mr. Ryan is a St. Kitts native, according to police.
Mr. Richards was shot in outside of his residence in Long Look on the night of May 6, police said. He died on May 8.
Mr. Springette was shot on the evening of June 21 outside of the Wayside Bar in Fat Hogs Bay, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said two earlier attempts had been made on his life.
On Friday, Police Commissioner Michael Matthews praised the work of the crime team officers who made the two arrests.
“It is very difficult to resist the temptation to respond and defend the Force when those in the community give commentary on its actions or inactions — particularly those who see murders solved in the hour span of a prime-time TV show,” he said. “However, compiling the evidence to bring perpetrators of gun crimes — in particular murders — to justice takes a lot longer than an hour and requires a great deal more effort. Very few appreciate or understand the difference.”
Mr. Ryan and Ms. Hanley are currently in police custody and are waiting for the next available court date.