Mother Pleads After Tre'Vante Fatally Shot
A 14-year-old St. Thomas resident, Tre'Vante Etienne, was shot and later died after being found with multiple gunshot wounds on Vester Gade Friday afternoon. His mother has publicly appealed for anyone with information to come forward as police have not identified a suspect or made an arrest.
A 14-year-old boy from the Savan community of St. Thomas, identified as Tre'Vante Etienne, died after being shot multiple times Friday afternoon, authorities say. According to the Virgin Islands Police Department, ShotSpotter alerted 911 to multiple gunshots around 2:17 p.m. in the area of Vester Gade.
A concerned citizen later reported that a male victim had been injured. Police found Tre'Vante responsive with multiple gunshot wounds and he was transported by ambulance to Roy Lester Schneider Hospital, where he later died despite lifesaving efforts. The VIPD has not identified a suspect or reported an arrest in the case.
In a public post on the community page “What’s Going On, St. Thomas?,” Tre'Vante’s mother described the unbearable pain of losing her son and urged anyone with information to speak up. She wrote that her child’s “future, his dreams, his laugh, his life GONE because of the actions of cowards,” and implored residents to stop protecting secrets and to help the family find answers.
She reminded the community that no piece of information is too small and called for justice for her son. The VIPD is asking anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, extensions 5555 or 5556, or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 800-222-8477. Governor Albert Bryan issued a statement expressing deep sorrow, calling the loss “senseless gun violence” and noting the tragedy hits close to home because he grew up in Savan.
The governor urged a broader community response: “This is not simply a policing problem. It is a societal problem,” he said, calling on government, parents, educators, faith leaders and community members to work together to create safer spaces and opportunities for young people. The Department of Health extended condolences and reminded residents that behavioral health support is available.
The Behavioral Health Division can provide counseling referrals and emotional support; St. Thomas Behavioral Health Clinic can be reached at 340-774-6380, St. John Behavioral Health Services at 340-776-6400, and St. Croix Behavioral Health Clinic at 340-773-1311. For BVI residents, the killing is a sobering reminder that gun violence in neighbouring territories has direct emotional and social effects across the region.
Community leaders and families are urged to support one another, report information to authorities, and use available mental health resources to help young people cope and prevent further tragedies.
Primary source: VINO