VI Police Department (VIPD) Commissioner Mario Brooks announces two juvenile arrests in a St. Croix hate-crime investigation, joined by Chief Houston Cornelius behind him, Deputy Chief Naomi Joseph at right and Captain Herminia Rivera at left. Photo: VIPD

A brutal assault captured on video, showing a minor repeatedly kicked and struck while on the ground, is being investigated as a hate crime, the US Virgin Islands (VI) Police Department told The Consortium. Photo: VIC

The arrests were announced Friday evening by the V.I. Police Department during a briefing led by Police Chief Houston Cornelius, Captain Herminia Rivera and Commissioner Brooks. Deputy Chief Naomi Joseph was also present.

According to the VIPD, the assault occurred in August 2026, but video footage of the incident did not come to the department's attention until Tuesday, October 27, when the recording began circulating widely throughout the community.

Captain Rivera, who commands the School Resource and Juvenile Division, said she received the video Tuesday, along with information identifying several juveniles allegedly involved in the attack.

Investigators began examining the incident the following day. By Thursday, October 29, police had taken two male juveniles into protective custody and charged both with aggravated assault and battery, simple assault, and disturbance of the peace by threats.

The 17-year-old and 14-year-old were remanded to the Youth Rehabilitation Center pending their advice-of-rights hearings.

“This investigation is ongoing and is considered a hate crime,” Captain Rivera said during Friday's announcement.

She indicated that additional charges would be pursued through the Virgin Islands Attorney General's Office. The department has not yet announced the filing of separate hate-crime charges against either minor.

3rd juvenile being sought

Investigators are also seeking a third juvenile, identified by police as a 16-year-old boy, for his alleged involvement in recording the attack.

“Currently, there is an investigation going on with the juvenile officer regarding the third minor who was responsible for videotaping the incident,” Captain Rivera explained.

As previously reported by the Consortium, the footage shows two individuals repeatedly striking and kicking a boy who is lying on a paved surface outdoors at night. The victim attempts to protect his head and body with his arms as the assault continues.

A second recording shows the boy sitting on the pavement with blood visible around his mouth.

The VIPD confirmed Friday that the victim is 14 years old. The identities of the juveniles have not been publicly released.

Condemnation

The video prompted widespread condemnation after it circulated earlier this week, including statements from Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett calling for a thorough investigation into whether the assault was motivated by the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

“I was shocked and deeply disturbed by what I saw in that video,” Mr. Bryan said Wednesday. “No young person should ever experience that kind of brutality and humiliation. Violence against someone because of who they are, or who others believe them to be, is intolerable. There is no place for it in the Virgin Islands.”

The governor called on law enforcement and the Department of Justice to coordinate with federal authorities, if necessary, to determine whether hate-crime charges are warranted.

Ms. Plaskett similarly urged police to investigate the assault under the territory's Hate-Motivated Crimes Act and called for greater efforts to address violence, bullying and prejudice among young people.

Friday's announcement marked the first confirmation that arrests had been made in the case.

Chief Cornelius said the video had been shared with several VIPD personnel, and its apparent involvement of students prompted immediate contact with Captain Rivera's division.

Police thanks public

Police also credited members of the public with helping identify those involved.

“Thank you goes out to the many concerned citizens within the community that called in and sent tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477,” Chief Cornelius said.

He noted that information from residents, together with the recordings, played an important role in advancing the investigation.

While the arrests address two of the juveniles suspected of participating in the beating, Commissioner Brooks used Friday's briefing to issue a broader warning to parents about their responsibility to supervise their children and the potential legal consequences when that responsibility is neglected.

Mr. Brooks said he has become increasingly concerned about violent incidents involving minors, including fights and other disturbances in schools.

“Our minors are our future, and we have to protect them,” he said.

'This nonsense has to stop'

The commissioner specifically referenced Title 14 of the Virgin Islands Code, which establishes parental responsibilities and provides penalties in certain circumstances involving neglect of parental duty.

“Parents, you can be held accountable not only civilly but also financially for the actions of your children,” Mr. Brooks warned.

He urged parents to take a more active role in their children's lives, stressing that the responsibility for addressing juvenile misconduct cannot rest solely with law enforcement and the schools.

Mr. Brooks disclosed that he had discussed the matter with Attorney General Gordon Rhea and said the VIPD intends to examine parental supervision when investigating criminal activity involving minors.

“And should there be any specific evidence that leads to neglect or failure to do your part as a parent when it comes to your children, we will in fact be moving forward prosecutory action against you,” he stated.

Under 14 V.I.C. § 481, parents and guardians have a duty to exercise reasonable care, supervision, protection and control over children in their custody. The law also establishes penalties for neglect of parental duty under specified circumstances.

Mr. Brooks additionally warned that victims of juvenile violence may seek remedies through civil litigation.

The commissioner did not announce charges against any parent in connection with the assault or identify evidence of parental neglect in this particular case. Any such action would require a separate legal basis supported by the facts.

“This nonsense has to stop,” Mr. Brooks declared, emphasising the need to reduce violence involving young people and protect children throughout the territory.

Police say the hate-crime investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to pursue the third juvenile and evaluate additional charges.

See previous article published October 30, 2026

USVI: Brutal assault on minor being investigated as hate crime

A brutal assault captured on video, showing a minor repeatedly kicked and struck while on the ground, is being investigated as a hate crime, the US Virgin Islands (VI) Police Department told The Consortium. 

The department said its Criminal Investigation Bureau and Juvenile Bureau are investigating the incident and have identified the victim and suspects, all of whom are minors.

Footage reviewed by The Consortium shows two individuals standing over the victim on a paved surface outdoors at night, repeatedly kicking and striking him. He curls onto his side and raises his arms toward his head as the attack continues, then attempts to sit up while the assailants remain over him. A shorter recording shows him seated on the pavement with blood visible around his mouth, raising his hands as people stand close to him.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr., in a statement issued Wednesday, condemned the assault and called for an investigation into whether it was motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

“I was shocked and deeply disturbed by what I saw in that video,” Bryan said. “No young person should ever experience that kind of brutality and humiliation. Violence against someone because of who they are, or who others believe them to be, is intolerable. There is no place for it in the Virgin Islands.”

Bryan called on VIPD and the Virgin Islands Department of Justice to investigate thoroughly and coordinate with federal authorities to determine whether hate-crime charges are warranted.

“My administration will support pursuing this matter to the fullest extent of the law,” Bryan said. “We will work with our local and federal partners to ensure that every applicable avenue for accountability is examined and that those responsible are held accountable based on the evidence and with respect for due process.”

Hate crime investigation

The governor urged the victim and his parents or guardians to come forward to law enforcement and encouraged witnesses and anyone with relevant recordings to provide that evidence directly to police. He also called on parents, educators, faith leaders and community organisations to confront bullying and prejudice, and emphasised the need for trusted adults, counseling and support for young people.

“To this young man and his parents, I am deeply sorry for the pain, fear and indignity this attack has caused,” Bryan said. “You deserved protection, kindness and respect.”

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett also condemned the assault in a statement issued Wednesday, calling for a hate-crime investigation and support for the victim and his family.

“All of our children matter. Every one of them is part of our community, and every one of them deserves to grow up safe, free to be exactly who they are,” Plaskett said. “An attack on one of our young people because of who they are is an attack on all of us and on the values of respect and family that define us as Virgin Islanders.”

Plaskett urged VIPD to investigate under the territory’s Hate-Motivated Crimes Act and work with federal partners as needed to hold those responsible accountable. She encouraged anyone with information to contact law enforcement and called on the community to address violence among young people and reflect on the recording and circulation of violent videos.

“To this young man and his family: you are not alone. Our community stands with you, and we are praying for your healing,” Plaskett said.