Scatliffe Alley Man Charged Over Gun
A 29-year-old Scatliffe Alley resident, identified as Shakhoy Penn, was arrested after police recovered a Glock 17 with an extended magazine and 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition during a response to suspected gunfire in Road Town on May 29. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force says this seizure is the eighth illegal firearm removed from circulation in 2026 and is urging the public to share information to help curb gun crime.
Police have charged a 29-year-old Scatliffe Alley man after officers recovered a handgun and ammunition while responding to reports of suspected gunfire in Road Town last week. According to a Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) press release issued on June 4, officers who were already in the vicinity responded quickly to the reports on Friday, May 29.
During the operation they observed a man they considered suspicious, detained and searched him, and recovered a Glock 17 fitted with an extended magazine containing 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The suspect has been identified as Shakhoy Penn of Scatliffe Alley. He was arrested at the scene, the firearm was seized, and Penn now faces charges of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Explosives.
Police said he remains in custody awaiting an appearance before the Magistrate’s Court. The RVIPF said the latest seizure is the eighth illegal firearm recovered in the territory so far this year. The force’s tally for 2026 includes two firearms recovered in January, two in March, one in April and three in May.
Some of those recoveries resulted in arrests and charges that were publicised previously, while others were made during proactive policing operations where no suspect was identified. Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool praised the officers involved in the operation and underscored the wider public safety implications. "Every firearm removed from circulation represents a potential act of violence prevented," she said, noting particular concern when weapons have been modified to operate as automatic firearms. "The continued recovery of illegal weapons demonstrates the vigilance of our officers and our unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe.
We encourage members of the public to continue sharing information with the police." The seizure comes amid ongoing community concern about gun-related incidents in the British Virgin Islands. The RVIPF is urging anyone with information about illegal firearms or other criminal activity to contact its Intelligence Unit or Crime Stoppers to assist investigative and preventative efforts.
For BVI residents, the arrest is a reminder of both the presence of illegal weapons and the active policing efforts to remove them from circulation. Police say community cooperation remains vital to reduce gun crime and improve safety across the territory.
Primary source: BVI News