18-year-old high school student charged with firearm possession

Email this Article

Officers of the RVIPF Armed Response Team have charged an 18-year-old high school student with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Officers of the RVIPF Armed Response Team have charged an 18-year-old high school student with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Brandon Benjamin of Belle Vue was apprehended by police while attempting to flee on a motor scooter in the Fort Hill area, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) stated in a press release on May 11, 2023.

It said Benjamin will appear before the Magistrate’s Court at the next available sitting.

Increased police patrols

Police also said Benjamin’s arrest is a result of increased patrols conducted by the Armed Response Team to reduce crime opportunities, and enhance police visibility and safety within the communities.

The RVIPF did not state the name of the high school Benjamin attends.

Reports this week were made of shots fired in the Spooner’s Estate, Gene Hill and in the Mount Healthy area. A number of spent shells were also recovered, Police said.

The RVIPF is appealing to the general public for information on any persons known to be carrying or in possession of a firearm. Persons can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or the Crimestoppers Hotline number 800-8477.

40 Responses to “18-year-old high school student charged with firearm possession”

cris (12/05/2023, 06:40) Like (19) Dislike (7) Reply
Look for the parent and hold them responsible too,if they had teach their child the better way in life he wouldn't had have a gun in his possession...remember bvi law states (under 21 is still considered a miner ) so the parents are responsible for that child action.
- ?? (12/05/2023, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
  Which act ?
- SIDS (12/05/2023, 09:15) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
  NOT ALL PARENTS TO.BE BLAME SOME CRY SOME BEAT, SOME PRAY ALSO PLEAD AND DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS TO GET OUT OF CRIME BUT IT ONLY GOES THROUGH ONE EAR AND COMES Out OF THE OTHER. WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR MIND THERE'S NOTHING WE COULD BUT LEAVE IT IN GOD HANDS
- @cris (12/05/2023, 11:05) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
  Isn't 18 considered an adult?
- @cris (12/05/2023, 17:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
  21 still considered a minor in the bvi? As far as I remember 18 you're considered an adult here in the bvi unless it changed and I didn't know.
Told you all (12/05/2023, 06:41) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
The teenagers have access to firearms.
ITS A GOOD THING (12/05/2023, 07:00) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
they caught him early ???? we in the Caribbean loves to copy everything we se happening in the US , and the last thing we want is for a student walking in on the school grounds and start flexing off himself / and I know those (holy hypocrites ) would be offended for me saying it like it is , and would say not their kids , but WE all are in for a rude awakening , AND ITS CALLED REALITY , remember it's not about the messenger its about the MESSAGE . so you can
keep fool yourselves ????
Well at least (12/05/2023, 07:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
The police was able to get one less fire arm off the streets. That little boy don’t know the trouble he is in. I could bet you he in jail crying for his mother now that reality has set in. Things could have gone bad for that boy. I was reading the police in the States shot a 17 year old that had a gun and he refused to drop the gun when the police ordered him to drop the gun and they shot him up.
So okay (12/05/2023, 07:43) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
The 18 year old should be focus on school rather than being out here on a scoter with a gun. That is why I try to avoid these young boys on scoters. Most of those boys on scooters is carrying guns.
- gnazi (12/05/2023, 09:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
  scooter
- @so okay (12/05/2023, 14:36) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
  The police need to stop those boys on scooters and start searching their behinds. They are the ones that is also moving the guns and delivering the guns around the Island unnoticed. Would not surprise me if the kid was delivering the gun to someone but he got caught.
fred (12/05/2023, 08:10) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
One less weapon on the streets. These young people only bringing shame to themselves and their family. We blame the parents but they don't have enough eyes for these young people. That's why they should bear their own punishment.
90210 (12/05/2023, 08:11) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
Hun possession should have a mandatory jail sentence of 7 years. BVI justice system needs to send a strong message all the offenders
Hum (12/05/2023, 08:29) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
why the parents being blamed?? I see of children raised in church growing in a good and educational home and still turn around and do BS as they turn 18
- @hum (12/05/2023, 09:17) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
  so true. Parents can only do so much for their kids. When these kids get with their "friends" they will do things the parents would never have expected them to do. So please stop blaming parents for how some children turn out in life. At 18yrs he is an adult and should know right from wrong.
I SAY (12/05/2023, 08:34) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
Start holding the parents or guardians responsible. What is a school age boy doing carrying a firearm. Suppose that boy had shot up one of his school mates or kill someone. The law have to start coming down hard on parents or guardians and hold them accountable for the behavior of their out of control children.
Real Talk (12/05/2023, 08:51) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
(EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD DUMMY DAAAA
Now only saying (12/05/2023, 09:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
Things happens in the blink of an eye. Now if that boy had make a wrong move and the police had shot him up, you all wound have strung the police up.
- @ Now only saying (12/05/2023, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  If.....
  Well,the BVI would have bee lucky..One less scum.
if he was white we would've never heard his name (12/05/2023, 09:17) Like (2) Dislike (26) Reply
Why ayo mentioned the minor's name?
- @if he was white (12/05/2023, 11:03) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
  Isn't 18 an adult? It's sad, but if he's legally old enough to vote, then he's old enough to have his name called and to bear the consequences of having an illegal firearm.
- Welllllllll (12/05/2023, 11:08) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
  If he had stayed in a minors place, his name would not have been mentioned RIGHT!!!!. He wanted to play big man role now he see what it is to play big man. I don’t care if he is 14, you want to be out here in these streets acting the fool, then you got to take what the streets send your way.
perhaps (12/05/2023, 09:27) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
Once the law start holding the parents responsible for the action of their out of control children, it will send a strong message. Who wants to get mad, then marinate on being mad, you’ll get over it. Some of you parents is not FIT TO BE PARENTS. Stop letting the streets raise your children.
@if he was ehite (12/05/2023, 09:36) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
Man STFU. When last you heard of a white person going around the BVI and firing shots???????? Tell me
- For real already (12/05/2023, 10:59) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
  @@ if he was white, exactly, the white people living on the Island is not going around firing shots, killing each other, riding around all night disturbing people out of their sleep, blasting the loud music out of cars and a whole lot more.
musa (12/05/2023, 10:09) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
He need jail case done
Shawn (12/05/2023, 10:12) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
the school need metal detector
WHAT!!! (12/05/2023, 10:28) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
If a lot more of these scooter guys were stopped and searched for sure more guns would be found
Really (12/05/2023, 10:37) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
@cris your an illiterate fool. The devil puppets teach the kids that crap. You just don't have any knowledge to understand what's going on. Did his parents make the gun? Nope but the government did. Ask your dumb self a question why did the government make guns,it was to depopulate the people with having them kill each other. Use the 20% the government study say you have when I use 100% percent of my brain to see and ask questions. The world is run by the devil and the saying is we are living in hell so wake up.
mad max (12/05/2023, 10:37) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
Some questions;
1. Where did he get the money for a gun?
2. Where did he get the money for the scooter? Is it insured and licensed?
3. What form is he in at school? Is he a serial repeater.

At some point someone is going to have to be made an example of ...
Real Macoy (12/05/2023, 10:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
I hope the schools really do have metal protectors.
Parenrs (12/05/2023, 13:08) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
Parents should be arrested and dragged thru town
Kemo (12/05/2023, 13:14) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
Aye, ayo betta let my dawg go meshon
- Bmm (12/05/2023, 14:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
  @Kemo, if you feel that way, Simple go into the police station and demand the RELEASE OF YOUR ROAD DAWG.OH, AND MAKE SURE TO WALK WITH YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND SPIDER-MAN PAJAMAS CAUSE YOU WILL BE SPENDING THE NIGHT IN A CELL NEXT TO YOUR ROAD DAWG. OKAYYYYY.
Not a real place (12/05/2023, 14:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
slap on the wrist, back on the road in 6 months
Mr.gage (12/05/2023, 21:17) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
They should also charge him for being 18 and still in high school.
Bvi secret (12/05/2023, 21:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
Where is the picture of this known law breaker and potential killer?
@not a real place (12/05/2023, 23:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
your comment is soo true. they will go to the ministers of government and plead mercy as it is his first time etc, etc, just lie how others went to the lady who lost the election against funny man and pleaded for second chances. ~What do we want less crime? if so then let the police and the law follow its coarse and STOP pleading for these youth as they know exactly what they doing and no one force them to do it. you do the crime you pay with time.
Teacher (13/05/2023, 11:17) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
18 and still in High School? I guess he is more interested in guns rather than books. Send him to Balsam Ghut where he would learn how to appreciate freedom and learn some sense
CK (13/05/2023, 16:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
18 yrs should be going college thay only makeing parent shame and who is opoleing them in this nonsense is just as bad no better the herring no better the barrel

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.

18-year-old high school student charged with firearm possession

40 Responses to “18-year-old high school student charged with firearm possession”

Create a comment

Create a comment

Follow Us On