VI Premier: Recent firearm incidents 'underscore the reason' for Anti-Crime Summit
During the Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Premier Wheatley extended his sympathies to those who have been affected in one way or another by recent incidents involving firearms.
The first of its kind Anti-Crime Summit was held at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex in Road Town from September 24 to 26, 2025, under the theme ‘Our Virgin Islands: Safe Communities, Prosperous Territory’.
Gun-related incidents reported
A few incidents, most involving firearms, have been reported during and since the conclusion of the three-day Anti-Crime Summit.
On October 8, 2025, it was reported that at least four heavily armed masked men approached patrons outside a bar the evening of October 7, 2025.
Also on October 7, 2025, during the day, a masked man- believed to be armed- attempted to break into a home in Meyers Estate, but his attempt was foiled, including by police on patrol in the area.
During the early hours of Saturday, October 4, 2025, gunmen entered a popular bar in the vicinity of Tortola Pier Park in Road Town and robbed its patrons, leaving 24-year-old Jevonte Barnes nursing gunshot wounds at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, three armed masked men robbed people at a birthday party in Mount Healthy.
“I sympathise with those persons who were impacted by those events,” Premier Wheatley expressed.
Recent incidents underscore reason for the anti-crime summit
Dr Wheatley also said these recent incidents “underscore the reason” for the anti-crime summit.
“I’m not sure if persons were assuming that just having the Anti-Crime Summit itself would be a solution to crime, but actually the Anti-Crime Summit is the forum by which we are able to discuss some solutions, and we were able to come together and discuss quite a number of things.”
He reiterated that addressing crime requires the cooperation of everyone in the territory, and the recent incidents are a reminder that crime can touch everyone in the VI.
“It can affect your business, it can affect you in your home. You know, we’ve had high-profile public servants who persons have come into their homes, while they were there, armed persons, so that’s not something to make persons feel insecure, but it’s there to let you know that we have a challenge that we have to confront, and we have to confront that challenge together.”
'It can touch each one of us'
Premier Wheatley said while the police and government each have their responsibilities in combating crime, everyone has a responsibility.
“It can touch each one of us, it can damage our economy, it can reduce our own sense of security, our peace and wellbeing, and it can also impact those that we love.”
He urged people to come out and say something if they see something and encouraged them to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their businesses and homes.
The National Security Council is meeting today, October 9, 2025, and will look at the recent incidents in-depth.
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5 Responses to “VI Premier: Recent firearm incidents 'underscore the reason' for Anti-Crime Summit”
The government talking about crime won’t spark real change. What will make a difference is when someone from the “famous crowd” stands up and says, “Yo, what are we really doing? This needs to stop.” That’s when others will start to agree — “Yeah man, for real, this is sickening.”
Many of today’s entrepreneurs have legitimate businesses now, but some didn’t start with clean money. Still, they have the influence and the platform to speak to the streets and encourage change — to tell the youth to cool out and choose a better path.