Wheatley: Firearm Incidents Underscore Summit
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley said recent gun-related incidents in the Virgin Islands underscore the need for the territory’s first Anti-Crime Summit and called for community cooperation. Several armed robberies and an attempted home break-in were reported during and after the three-day summit; the National Security Council will review the incidents.
Natalio Wheatley has extended his sympathies to victims of several recent firearm-related incidents and reiterated that these events highlight the purpose of the territory’s first Anti-Crime Summit held in late September. Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice on October 8, 2025, Dr.
Wheatley said the summit — held September 24–26 at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex in Road Town under the theme “Our Virgin Islands: Safe Communities, Prosperous Territory” — provided a forum to discuss solutions but cannot by itself eliminate crime. “A summit is the forum by which we are able to discuss some solutions,” he said. “We were able to come together and discuss quite a number of things.” He warned that crime can affect anyone, from businesses to private homes, and noted that even high-profile public servants have been targeted in recent years.
A number of incidents involving firearms have occurred during and since the summit. On October 7, at least four heavily armed masked men reportedly approached patrons outside a bar. Also that night, a masked man believed to be armed attempted to break into a home in Meyers Estate; officers on patrol helped foil that attempt.
Earlier, in the early hours of October 4, gunmen entered a popular bar near Tortola Pier Park and robbed patrons, leaving 24-year-old Jevonte Barnes with gunshot wounds. On September 25, three armed masked men robbed guests at a birthday party in Mount Healthy. Wheatley urged residents to work with police and government efforts to address crime, saying everyone has a role to play.
He encouraged people to “say something if you see something” and to take sensible precautions to safeguard their homes and businesses. The Premier said the recent spike in high-profile incidents is a reminder that tackling crime requires collective action and sustained follow-through on summit recommendations.
He added that while the police and government each have responsibilities, community cooperation is essential to preserve public safety and protect the territory’s economy and wellbeing. The National Security Council met on October 9 to examine these incidents in depth and consider next steps.
Residents are being asked to report suspicious activity to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and to remain vigilant as investigators continue their work. The comments and timeline were provided by the Premier during his October 8 appearance on the Virgin Islands Voice and relate to events reported across Tortola during late September and early October 2025.
Primary source: VINO