Three USVI Homicides Raise 2026 Toll
Three separate shootings across St. Thomas and St. Croix left three men dead in one day, pushing the U.S. Virgin Islands' 2026 homicide count to 20, the Virgin Islands Police Department says. Authorities are asking the public for tips as investigations continue.
Virgin Islands islands in a single day have raised the territory's 2026 homicide total to 20, officials said. The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), through Director of Communications Glen Dratte and detectives, confirmed the three deaths occurred Tuesday on St. The first incident was reported at approximately 3:40 p.m. in the Hospital Ground area of St.
Thomas after a citizen called 911 to report gunfire. Officers discovered an unresponsive man with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Technicians pronounced him deceased at the scene; next of kin identified him as 23-year-old Asani Henry. Hours later, at about 6:29 p.m., another 911 call reported shots fired in the Sanchez Town area of St.
Thomas and a male victim down in the area. Responding officers and emergency personnel found an unresponsive man who was pronounced dead. The VIPD said the case is active with the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
At about 7:53 p.m., a concerned citizen alerted the Criminal Investigation Bureau to a possible body in a heavily vegetated area north of Profit Hills. Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau located a male with apparent multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body.
Emergency Medical Services confirmed the man had no vital signs; next of kin later identified him as 20-year-old Amani Daley. All three incidents remain under active investigation. The VIPD is urging anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, extensions 5555 or 5556; tips can also be sent via WhatsApp to the Major Crimes Unit at 340-642-8449, to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by calling 911.
For residents of the British Virgin Islands, the spike in violent incidents in neighbouring U.S. territory is a reminder of the close social and travel ties across the Virgin Islands. Local officials say community vigilance and timely reporting remain critical to investigations and public safety.
The VIPD statement, relayed by Glen Dratte, stressed that investigators are following all leads as they work to bring clarity to the events and to those responsible.
Primary source: VINO