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Calls for state of emergency in USVI after 7 homicides in a month

Scene of Sion Farm homicide which occurred during the night of Monday, August 17, 2020. Photo: VIC
Senator Kurt A. Vialet on Tuesday morning, August 18, 2020, called for a state of emergency to be declared against violence in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), following the shooting incident in Sion Farm last night that left a 16-year-old boy, described by many as holding promise, dead. Photo: sharingmarketplace.com
Senator Kurt A. Vialet on Tuesday morning, August 18, 2020, called for a state of emergency to be declared against violence in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), following the shooting incident in Sion Farm last night that left a 16-year-old boy, described by many as holding promise, dead. Photo: sharingmarketplace.com
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI— Senator Kurt A. Vialet on Tuesday morning, August 18, 2020, called for a state of emergency to be declared against violence in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), following the shooting incident in Sion Farm last night that left a 16-year-old boy, described by many as holding promise, dead.

"Declare a State of Emergency on violence and request Federal Intervention to take back our streets!" wrote Mr Vialet, a veteran lawmaker and former school principal.

"The warring turfs are destroying our island and frankly don’t give a hell. A meeting must be held with the Judicial System to obtain the necessary search warrants and go after the guns. It is apparent that they are not stopping and will continue to harm innocent bystanders. Today should be an all out war against violence. All officers must be activated to work the streets to include peace officers. We have to show the criminals that enough is enough! My sincere condolences to all who have lost a loved one to gun violence," the senator added.

Spate of violence

Violence in the USVI has been unrelenting this year. On St Croix, between July 23 and Monday — less than a month — the island has seen 7 homicides. During the morning time of July 23, Jonathan Fontanelle was shot and killed at the Louis E. Brown Housing Community. On Wednesday, July 29 a man identified by next of kin as Shamal Riviere, 30, was shot dead in Sion Farm (the suspect said he acted in self-defense). On Friday, July 31 two men were shot dead, the first during the morning time at HH Tire & Battery, and the second during the afternoon at the Lorraine Village housing community.

On August 5 a man identified as 24-year-old Rashawn Wyre was gunned down near a hotel in Christiansted. Then on Sunday afternoon, 27-year-old Joseph Leonardo Clarke of Grove Place was shot and killed in Frederiksted outside the Yam Yam Restaurant.

And Monday night, the 16-year-old was ruthlessly murdered in a barrage of gunfire aimed at him and another young man while walking in their Sion Farm neighborhood.

Thirty-eight people have died from gun violence in the US Virgin Islands so far in 2020, with St Croix leading with 20, followed by St Thomas with 17, and St John with 1, according to VIPD Public Information Officer Toby Derima.

Last night's shooting

St Croix residents as far as The Meadows just north of Strawberry Hill reported hearing endless gunshots ringing from afar on Monday night. One person, rattled by the gunfire, declared it was World War III. Multiple residents said well over a hundred rounds were fired.

The gunfire was coming from Sion Farm near the Mill area, where two individuals — including the 16-year-old boy — were walking in their neighborhood when they were ambushed by an unfamiliar vehicle, whose occupant or occupants opened fire.

The 16-year-old was an honor student who played on the football team at the Central High School, was part of a baseball team and was praised by teachers as a student with great potential. He also played basketball and represented the Virgin Islands in sports as far as Panama.

Identified by family members as Tintawee Christian, he died on the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The other victim sustained a gunshot wound to the chest but survived the onslaught. He will be airlifted today for further medical attention, according to an EMT.

Sorrow filled St Croix social media channels Monday night, with multiple people lamenting the untimely death. 

"Just spoke to a teacher who was crying tears out for you," said Educator Eliza Rampersad on Facebook. 

"I am screaming at our ELECTED OFFICIALS DO BLEEPING SOMETHING!!!!!! Mehn," wrote Arlene Coggins-John, a parent of a young man who was one of the deceased victim's peers.

"I watch my son lose one teammate to a car accident it was hard on him. Now his teammate to gun Violence!!!! HE DID NOT DESERVE THIS SH*T MAN. Where is all the promises of getting the Feds to help?? I am bleeding vex sh*t man!!!  

"This child was not a gang member, he was an athlete. He played basketball, baseball, and football. He represented the Virgin Islands in countries such as Panama. He was respectful and funny. How do we protect our young men who are doing their part in this thing call life?" said Ms Coggins-John.

Mr Derima said the VIPD is investigating the crime. The police force also called on the community to provide information that may lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.

9 Responses to “Calls for state of emergency in USVI after 7 homicides in a month”

  • Lord have mercy (18/08/2020, 18:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What an orful story the only safe place right now is in your grave may his soul rest in peace
  • oh (18/08/2020, 18:30) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply

    Where is the black lives matter movement now? Set of @##$ poppy show and puppets!

  • OshKosh (18/08/2020, 18:56) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    This will be the
    ( B)VI if continues on its path of whosoever will may come. 99.9% of these happenings involves immigrants and/ or children of immigrants from the upper Caribbean Islands practicing their cultural killing habits and updeislun versions of Black Lives Matter.
    • tretretrete (18/08/2020, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @oshkosh that’s a dumb ass comment what Immigrants from upper Caribbean islands have to do wit this? Sometimes I wonder if when some people commenting they Actually think before posting this rubbish?
  • usvi (18/08/2020, 20:07) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The only way this is going to stop is when the big boys from the States is called in.
    • Virgin Islander (16/10/2020, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, SANATOR VIALET IS RIGHT AND HE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ISLANDS .

      CONGRATULATION SENATOR VIALET , WE NEED HELP FROM THE FEDERALS TO STOP THIS CRIMES .IN 1989 WHEN HURRICANE , BUSH SENT THOSE FED AND NO ONE WAS ON THE STREET .
  • My girl (18/08/2020, 20:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well sah hope this don’t happen in the bvi
    • OMG (19/08/2020, 07:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Awwww the dark ages, we have turned on ourselves killing out our own species God be with us...
  • @OshKosh (19/08/2020, 10:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    we own locals is wa going on bad ma boi


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