Virgin Islands (VI) students studying abroad, most on government scholarships, have reported being affected by their Colleges and Universities having to be on short lockdowns. Photo: Internet Source

Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political activist and friend of President Donald J Trump (R), was shot in the neck while speaking at an open-air event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Photo: Internet Source

This was as a result of threats made to their campuses days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at a college in Utah.

Many of them, speaking to our newsroom on condition of anonymity, said it has interrupted classes as it is alleged the targets were usually students of colour.

The lockdown happened more in the southern states where VI students are enrolled at colleges and universities in Florida, Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, along with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  

College life getting back to normal

This week, they reported it was much better than last week for them, as college campus threats had slowed down, and college life appeared to be returning to normal. On their campuses, they noticed beefed-up security and no emails came this week about possible threats. 

Mr Kirk, a right-wing political activist and friend of President Donald J Trump (R), was shot in the neck while speaking at an open-air event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

In some of the states mentioned, where VI students are studying in majority white schools, they also took precautions because of their proximity to the schools that were threatened, according to one female student.

No injuries have been reported so far at either colleges or universities because of the lockdowns. The political class in the VI, who also follows the American news, are in tune with the American political landscape.

There is no known connection between the threats and the shooting in Utah, but it comes amid heightened tension over Kirk's death.

VI’s envoy to Washington, Latin America and the United Nations, E. Benito Wheatley declined to comment but referred us to both the Minister for Education and the Premier.

Our newsroom reached out to Minister for Education, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) for comment, but received no response up to the time of publishing.