Shooting Unrelated to Prison Escape
The National Security Council has confirmed that the late Sunday shooting in Purcell Estate that left a man with multiple gunshot wounds is not connected to the weekend escape of two inmates from His Majesty’s Prison, Balsam Ghut. Authorities say the injured man arrived at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in a bullet‑riddled car, no arrests have been made, and the manhunt for the escapees continues.
The National Security Council (NSC) has confirmed that the gun attack in Purcell Estate on Sunday night is separate from the ongoing search for two inmates who escaped from His Majesty’s Prison, Balsam Ghut over the weekend. Police reports say a man suffering multiple gunshot wounds arrived at the Dr.
Orlando Smith Hospital late Sunday in a bullet‑riddled vehicle. He remains hospitalized and stable, authorities said. No arrests have been made in connection with the Purcell Estate shooting as the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force continues its enquiries. The NSC — chaired by Governor Daniel Pruce and including the Premier, the Minister for Communications and Works, the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police, with the Cabinet Secretary as facilitator — met Monday afternoon, October 27, to coordinate the government response to the prison breakout.
During the meeting the Council received briefings from Superintendent of Prison Jay Kendall and Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool on the escape and the ongoing manhunt. Virgin Islands nationals, identified as Jose Almestica and John Burgos, were discovered missing following the weekend incident at Balsam Ghut.
Authorities say regional and international law enforcement partners have been engaged to assist with searches, intelligence sharing and perimeter containment efforts. As immediate measures, officials outlined steps to strengthen security at the prison, increase police visibility across the Territory and bolster inter‑agency coordination.
The NSC also condemned the Purcell Estate shooting while stressing there is no evidence linking it to the escape. Officials urged residents to remain calm but vigilant: secure homes and vehicles, report suspicious activity, and follow updates from the R.V.I.P.F. The public is asked to provide any information that could aid investigations by contacting the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Crime Stoppers, or the confidential hotline at 800‑8477 (TIPS), 800‑847‑8477, or 368‑9339.
The Government reiterated its commitment to the safety of BVI communities and said it would provide further updates as enquiries and the manhunt progress.
Primary source: JTV