12 p.m. Sunday, July 26
The Roach–Francis gubernatorial campaign announced Sunday that it has postponed its St. Croix motorcade following the fatal shooting of VIPD Agent Eustace Charles, who was assigned to Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach during his official visits to the island.
Roach described Charles’ death as a deeply personal loss, saying their relationship had grown beyond his role on the lieutenant governor’s security detail.
“Eustace was someone I trusted with my life, but our relationship went far beyond his official responsibilities,” Roach said. “He was a true gentleman—a warm, dependable and deeply caring person.”
Sen. Novelle Francis Jr., a former police commissioner and Roach’s gubernatorial running mate, called Charles’ death a devastating loss for the territory’s law-enforcement community and said every available resource should be brought to bear in the investigation.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” Francis said. “Our law-enforcement officers cannot carry this burden alone.”
The campaign said its motorcade, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday on St. Croix, has been postponed both out of respect for Charles and to allow VIPD personnel and resources to remain focused on the investigation. A new date will be announced later.
The campaign’s 4 p.m. rally will go forward as scheduled, but organizers said the program will be adjusted to honor Charles and reflect the circumstances surrounding his death.
A 51-year-old Virgin Islands Police Department officer assigned to the government’s Executive Security Unit was shot multiple times and killed early Sunday morning on St. Croix, prompting a joint investigation by local police and the FBI and an appeal from Police Commissioner Mario Brooks for the person responsible to surrender.
Officer Eustace Charles was found unresponsive inside a vehicle after the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of shots fired in Williams Delight at approximately 5:50 a.m., according to the V.I. Police Department. Responding officers discovered Charles suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and emergency medical personnel determined he had no vital signs.
Charles was a VIPD officer assigned to the Executive Security Unit and, according to Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., was assigned to Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach’s security detail. Bryan described Charles as a valued member of both the unit and the Office of the Governor family who served with “professionalism, commitment and a deep sense of responsibility.”
Authorities have released few details about what led to the shooting, and VIPD’s statement did not identify a possible motive or provide information about whether Charles was on duty at the time. Police did say a suspect remained at large Sunday, while announcing that the FBI would join VIPD in investigating the killing.
Brooks issued a pointed message to whoever was responsible. “Turn yourself in. We will not rest, we will not slow down, and we will use every resource available until we catch you,” Brooks said.
The commissioner also mourned Charles’ death, saying the officer had served the community with honor and dedication and extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues throughout the Police Department.
Bryan, meanwhile, said he was “shocked, heartbroken and angered” by Charles’ killing, describing the death as a devastating loss not only for the Executive Security Unit but for employees across the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor.
“Those who worked alongside Officer Charles knew him as a dependable colleague and public servant who took great pride in protecting others,” Bryan said.
The governor said he and Roach were extending condolences to Charles’ family, loved ones and fellow officers, adding that the government would stand with them as they confront the loss. He also called the killing a “heinous act of violence” and said he expected a thorough investigation aimed at bringing the person or people responsible to justice.
The circumstances surrounding Charles’ killing remain unclear as no possible motive has been disclosed nor have investigators said whether they believe Charles was targeted because of his work. VIPD’s announcement Sunday characterized the investigation as ongoing, and the department said both its investigators and the Federal Bureau of Investigation would handle the case.
VIPD is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211 or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
