900 Backup Batteries Bound For V.I.’s Medically Vulnerable
VIPD, Officials Ask Community to Come Forward After Spike in Gun Violence
Police again urged those with information about the killing of Tre’Vante Etienne to come forward while speaking Monday morning at the Savan basketball court where the 15-year-old was shot and killed three days ago.
What was described on social media as a community briefing with residents ended up being a short, recorded video update attended by St. Thomas Chief of Police Deborah Hodge, Investigations Chief Richard Dominguez, Deputy Chief Rael Donastorg, two representatives from the V.I. Gun Violence Prevention Office and several members of the media. Hodge began the briefing by telling the public that “someone saw something, someone heard something, and this is not an effort that can be handled by VIPD solely.”
“We need your help,” she said.
Dominguez added that the investigation into Friday afternoon’s killing remains “very active” and echoed Hodge’s call for help while reminding Virgin Islanders that they can send tips anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers USVI at 800-222-8477.
“It’s disheartening to know that at the time that this occurred, there was a witness that wanted to come forward and talk to police, and the victim’s so-called friends called that person off and prevented them from coming to the police,” he said. “That’s the type of information we need. People who were here, people who saw: please do the right thing and call the police with whatever you know.”
Dominguez added later that tipsters aren’t required to give their name.
“So there’s not even a witness protection issue there, because we don’t know who you are,” he said. “But we still urge people to submit information through the tip line.”
Dominguez said that it was “glaring” that Etienne was killed during an ongoing basketball game with players, “none of which talk to the police.”
“We need people to come forward,” he stressed.
Authorities otherwise revealed little new information. Asked whether the shooting was captured by security cameras or other video, Dominguez said he couldn’t discuss the matter.
Gerald McDonald, a survivor engagement specialist with the Gun Violence Prevention Office, and OGVP outreach coordinator Bruce Flamon told the Source that their office can always use more volunteers and people to assist with their mentorship programs.
Later Monday, Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach addressed the shooting and called on “parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, faith leaders and neighbors” to “remain present in the lives of our young people.”
“We must listen to them, guide them, and step in when we see conflict developing,” he said. Our children need safe places to gather. They need trusted adults to turn to. They need to know that their lives matter, and that violence is never the answer to disagreement or disrespect.”
Roach also referenced two other shootings that occurred in the past two days. On Sunday, a 16-year-old male was riding a motorbike near the Omar Brown Fire Station on St. Thomas. According to Roach, the teenager was shot multiple times before two bystanders took him to Schneider Hospital. On Monday, another person was taken to Luis Hospital after being shot in the arm near the Walter I. M. Hodge housing community.
“Please remember that remaining silent only makes it harder to hold accountable the person or persons responsible for these heinous acts and to see justice done,” Roach said.
When asked to describe Government House’s position on an overhaul of the territory’s gun laws recently approved by the 36th Legislature, Roach said that he and Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. have to review the legislation before signing it into law. He encouraged anyone with concerns about the bill to contact the Governor’s Office and said the Executive Branch has 10 days to send it back to the Legislature.
“Because I think we ought to respond, and to be aware and concerned about the various perspectives,” he said. “Because any of these measures is an opportunity to deal with the issue of gun violence and gun possession in our community, and there’s a balance about those persons who think we want to address persons who are not legally authorized to have weapons versus those persons who are licensed and who have concerns that additional restrictions inhibit their ability to protect either their home or commercial establishments or the members of their family.”
Key VI Cargo Carrier Allowed Back at San Juan Dock
Man Dies After Whim Shooting; Police Seek Information
A man died Monday evening after a shooting in the Whim area of St. Croix, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The St. Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received a ShotSpotter notification and multiple reports of shots fired in Whim at about 6:04 p.m. Monday, according to a VIPD poilice report. Officers, Emergency Medical Services personnel and other emergency responders were dispatched to the area, where they found a victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported by ambulance to Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment but later died from his injuries, police said. Family members identified him as Rusiel Encarnacion. He was 45, the police report stated.
Police said the case remains under active investigation.
Encarnacion’s death marks the 10th homicide for St. Croix and the 19th for the territory, according to the Source Homicide List.*
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211 or Crime Stoppers VI at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
*The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2026 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. While this listing is based on VIPD reports, the Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing, which the police and some other media do. This can lead to a discrepancy in the number of incidents reported.
Gunfire Reported Near Walter I. M. Hodge; Victim Arrives at Hospital
Multiple shots were reported near the entrance to the Walter I.M. Hodge community early Monday morning, and a gunshot victim later arrived at Juan F. Luis Hospital by private vehicle, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received reports of multiple shots fired in the Walter I.M. Hodge area at approximately 6:53 a.m. Monday, according to a VIPD police report.
The victim arrived at Juan F. Luis Hospital shortly after the reports were received, police said. Officers responded and launched an investigation into the shooting.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, Crime Stoppers USVI at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or 911.
Territory-Wide Burn Ban Issued Across USVI Amid Elevated Fire Concerns
Fire Weather Concerns and Hurricane Season Preparedness
Daryl Jaschen, director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, also addressed recent fire weather concerns during a weekly Government House Press Briefing. Jaschen noted that the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, issued a Red Flag Warning for St. Croix on Saturday, June 13. According to information from the NWS, “A Red Flag Warning is issued in conjunction with land management agencies to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. NWS issues a Red Flag Warning when fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly.”
Traffic Stop on St. John Leads to Firearm and Ammunition Charges
A traffic stop on St. John led to the arrest of a man after police said officers found a handgun and multiple loaded magazines in his vehicle.
Yariel Guerrero-Roble was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and unauthorized possession of ammunition following the June 12 traffic stop, according to a Virgin Islands Police Department police report.
Police said Special Operations Bureau officers observed a dark-colored Acura MDX traveling with an illegally tinted windshield at about 5:30 p.m. Friday and initiated a traffic stop.
According to the police report, officers searched the vehicle and found several loaded magazines inside the center console. Officers also recovered a Glock 21 .45-caliber pistol equipped with an extended magazine that was concealed in the trunk of the vehicle.
Police said Guerrero-Roble admitted ownership of the firearm and loaded magazines and was arrested without incident.
Unable to post bail, Guerrero-Roble was booked and processed before being turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice-of-rights hearing, according to police.
The charges are allegations, and Guerrero-Roble is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Traffic Stop Leads to Firearm Charges on St. Thomas
A St. Thomas man was arrested early Saturday after police said officers found a handgun and ammunition in his vehicle during a traffic stop prompted by a red-light violation.
Jeffrey Lewis Jr. was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and unauthorized possession of ammunition after officers discovered a 9 mm handgun in his vehicle, according to a Virgin Islands Police Department police report. Bail was set at $75,000.
According to the police report, Special Operations Bureau officers observed a blue Toyota SUV drive through a red traffic signal at the intersection of Raadets Gade and Veterans Drive at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday.
Police said officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a pat-down search for officer safety. During the encounter, Lewis told officers he was in possession of marijuana, according to the report.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a handgun on the back seat, police said. Authorities reported that Lewis did not possess a firearm license.
Lewis was advised of his rights, arrested and transported to the Richard Callwood Command, where he was booked and processed before being turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice-of-rights hearing, according to police.
The charges are allegations, and Lewis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Romanian Man Sentenced in Illegal Re-Entry Case
A Romanian national who admitted he was in the United States illegally after being deported twice was sentenced Friday to time served after spending more than six months in federal custody, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Puiu Lacatus, 37, was sentenced June 12 by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert A. Molloy after pleading guilty to illegally entering the United States after previously being removed, federal prosecutors said. He had been detained for six months and one day before sentencing.
According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations agents received a tip Dec. 11 regarding a group of undocumented immigrants staying at a residence in Estate Contant. Agents conducting surveillance observed Lacatus leave the residence and walk toward Nisky Center.
Federal agents approached him and identified themselves as immigration officers before asking about his nationality and legal status in the United States. According to prosecutors, Lacatus told agents he was Romanian and did not have legal status to remain in the country.
Records checks later showed that Lacatus had previously been deported twice. Authorities also confirmed there was no record indicating he had received permission from the Department of Homeland Security to re-enter the United States, according to court documents.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Criminal Chief Kyle Payne of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands prosecuted the case, according to the release.
Mexican Man Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Cocaine Smuggling Case
A Mexican national was sentenced Friday to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport more than 1,200 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Francisco Hernandez Penaloza, 65, was sentenced June 12 by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert A. Molloy after pleading guilty to conspiring to transport and possess with intent to distribute approximately 1,295 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
According to court documents cited by prosecutors, the case began Sept. 5, 2024, when the Royal Canadian Navy ship HMCS Yellowknife intercepted a disabled go-fast vessel in international waters about 427 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. A U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement team was aboard the vessel during a routine patrol.
Authorities said the vessel was adrift with fuel barrels and bales visible on deck and displayed no flag or other indication of nationality. Coast Guard personnel boarded the vessel after suspecting illicit maritime activity and encountered three people on board, including Penaloza.
A search of the vessel uncovered 35 bales believed to contain narcotics, according to court records. The three occupants were detained, and the bales were removed before the damaged vessel was sunk. Testing conducted by a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory later confirmed the bales contained 1,295 kilograms of cocaine.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations. Criminal Chief Kyle Payne of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, according to the release.
