Slain officers: Kai Javoi (left) and Lesha Lammy. Photo: VIPD

Police tape at the scene of the discovery of two bodies, which were identified to be two officers of the [US] Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD). Photo: VIC

The leaders were set to address residents and the press at 5:30 P.M., but the governor and Mr Richards were speaking with the victims’ families, sharing consoling words and promising to leave no stone unturned in bringing justice to those responsible for the police deaths.

The territory-wide address started just after 6:00 P.M.

Government House, as ordered by the territory’s chief executive, released the identities of the slain police officers, including their biographies.

Officer Lesha Lammy, 30, above left, joined the police force on December 13, 2010 as a police recruit, and was promoted to the VIPD on June 26, 2013. Ms Lammy, who was assigned to the Wilber Francis B Command on October 4, 2015, leaves behind three young children, according information provided by Government House.

Officer Kai Javoi, 28, joined the force as a police recruit on May 11, 2015. He was promoted to the VIPD on December 14, 2015, and was stationed at the Ancilmo Marshall C Command from June 26, 2016.

The governor shared with the media details regarding the incident, stating that other pertinent information was being held in confidence because an investigation is ongoing.

“We found no evidence that the officers were victims of any traditional terrorist activities as we know them in the nation,” Mr Mapp said. “The officers were not targeted specifically because they were police officers… What we also believe the evidence has indicated thus far, is that the officers do not appear to be victims of a random act of violence, given the number of shootings and gang violence that are occurring in the territory.”

See previous story published August 11, 2016

2 police officers found dead on St Croix, USVI beach

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI — Two off-duty police officers were found lying dead in the sand on a beach in Hams Bluff, Frederiksted, which is all the way past the crusher to the north off the island of St Croix, US Virgin Islands, Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, who was on the scene, confirmed to The Consortium this afternoon, August 11, 2016.

Describing the incident as tragic, Mr Richards said the victims — a male and female, both of them shot dead — said the incident occurred less than 24 hours ago, adding that it most likely occurred last night, as one of the officers was supposed to report to duty Wednesday night but failed to do so.

“We know for a fact that one officer was supposed to report to duty last night and he didn’t show,” Mr Richards said. “What we’re looking at is that it happened within a 24-hour time period, based on folks who had seen him [the male victim] prior.”

The bodies were discovered this afternoon on the sand by two individuals who came to the area to catch whelks, Mr Richards said. He said VIPD detectives are speaking to several people, and will share more information once he’s able to combine the various moving parts of the story.

Earlier reports suggested that police were on the hunt for one of their own, but Mr Richards said he would not deny or confirm the report.

“I’m going back to the office to sit with everybody and see what they have, and then we move forward. And I also want to make sure that the next of kin is notified,” the commissioner said, opting not to reveal the identity of the deceased officers at that time.

He then expressed grief, which was already apparent on his face. Police vehicles lined the side of the small path, and officers could be seen talking among themselves, visibly disturbed by the occurrence.

“It’s a tragic day,” Mr Richards said, describing one officer as “very good,” and the other as having served for multiple years with the VIPD.

“We’re talking to several people to get as much information as we can — to determine whereabouts, where they were last seen and whom they were last seen with. Every time a name pops up, we’re going after that.”

Mr Richards said the officers were found clothed.