Chamber of Commerce, NDP condemn killing of businessman
The BVI Chamber of Commerce (BVICOC) and the National Democratic Party (NDP) are the latest organisations to publicly condemn the fatal shooting of businessman Kai de Castro, describing his death as a devastating loss for the territory and renewing calls for an end to gun violence.
In separate statements, both organisations expressed condolences to de Castro’s family and urged the community to unite in rejecting violence while supporting efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
The Chamber said de Castro’s death represented “a profound loss” not only to his loved ones but also to the wider business community, where he was known as a respected entrepreneur and investor.
BVICOC highlighted his role in building businesses such as Main Street Restaurant, de Castro Marking, Sakal Building and several other commercial ventures, saying his work created jobs, supported families and contributed to the territory’s economic development.
“Acts of violence such as this leave wounds that extend far beyond a single family,” the Chamber stated, noting that such incidents also impact employees, business partners, customers, investors and public confidence in the Virgin Islands. It encouraged residents to reject violence and continue working together to build a safer and more prosperous territory.
Meanwhile, the NDP described the killing as a “cowardly and criminal act” and said it was deeply saddened and outraged by the loss of a man whose life “held value and promise.”
The opposition party noted that de Castro’s death marked the second fatal shooting in recent weeks, warning that the trend should alarm every Virgin Islander.
“We refuse to accept gun violence as the new normal,” the party said, adding that every life lost leaves grieving families, shattered dreams and a community searching for answers.
The NDP also appealed to anyone with information about the killing to assist the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable for the sake of de Castro’s family and the wider community.
De Castro’s killing is the second homicide in the BVI since the start of 2026.
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I’m tired of hearing the same responses from government that simply condemn these incidents as “cowardly” and “criminal” while failing to address the deeper issues.
What this country needs is stronger investigative capacity, better-trained technical officers, and the resources necessary to solve crimes and prevent them from happening in the first place.
If members of the public are unwilling or afraid to come forward, then government must invest in alternative measures to improve public safety, including expanded CCTV coverage, stronger gun control policies, targeted stop-and-search operations, and modern crime-fighting technology.
Justice should not depend on whether a victim is a well-known individual, a prominent businessperson, or someone with influence. Every life matters. Every victim deserves the same level of attention, urgency, and accountability. For a nation as small as ours, there are simply too many unsolved cases, and that should concern every citizen.
While the loss of Mr. de Castro is tragic and deserves condemnation, it should serve as a reminder that every victim of violence leaves behind grieving loved ones and a community seeking answers. Our commitment to justice must be unwavering for all, regardless of the level of public attention a case receives.
WELL SAID. The only thing I would add is instead of “stronger gun control polices” I would say “stronger gun control polices AND LAWS” to much chatter .
Let’s implement laws that says ..once you’re found with an unlicensed firearm it should be an AUTOMATIC $100,000 payment or 5 years in jail or until the fine is paid. On the second offense $200,000 AND 3 years in prison. DO NOT GIVE THE MAGISTRATE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER. Put stricker laws in place and these young men and women (they have guns too) would think twice.
we just have a bunch of politicians here blowing hot air and they don’t have no balls.
mandatory jail was on the table until their own fam got caught. then it was fines or jail.
Businessmen?
t was tragic but let us not kid ourselves, he was not a saint if you were to judge him on his past.
How bout don’t judge him, you loser.
Ya’ll enjoy watching people fall. They do good you talk s*** , they do bad you talk s***, they do nothing you talk s***.
No one is a saint! We are all tainted.
So before you go talking s*** about someone you obviously DO NOT know, look around you cuz there are no saints.
He was a good person, a decent person and that’s enough.
So much needs to change in BVI.
I Can Remember My Grandparents And Other Neighbors Saying Back In The 1960’s That The BVI Will soon Be No Different From Other Countries And They Didn’t Mean It In A Positive Way. Guns Don’t Kill People. People Kill People. We Are No Longer Our Brothers And Sisters Keepers. The Social Fabric Of This Territory Has Deteriorated So Badly That Soon No One Will Want To Leave Their Home Except The Culprits. I will Say Though, The Authorities Need To Put More Measures In Place To Detour Those Responsible For Aiding The Culprits.
I hope they also condemn being armed and wearing a bullet proof vest as well.
You just comment for the sake of commenting. A useless and empty remark.
Why should a bullet proof vest be condemned? Business owners already sat here like sitting ducks with no protection and you talking smack?
Let’s not forget poor Mrs P!!!!!!
Life comes at people hard at times. A person has all right to protect themselves and if they have the means to do so should.
Ridiculous comment. Stupid. RIP Kai.
this is a serious business man loaded with gun and ammunition and wearing a bullet proof vest in the middle of the day doing business in brewers bay.was he there protecting the people of brewers bay from some unknown invasion from the sea?? Just asking. when we see a spade we need to call it a spade.this is not the first rodeo for anyone so prepared for any eventuality. from pics and conversations this is a seasoned criminal that the public thought was squiky clean.many of the small businesses around our community that we thought doing so good they have been carrying out illegal activities to support their struggling businesses. the small business is just a front.i know this small community very well and the more we pretend that our children family and friends are good outstanding citizens the end is very different. this incident is the prime example of how our society is .sorry for the harsh words but its the reality. the day we as a people speak the truth its better for all of us.stop telling the young ones oh your grandmother grandfather aunty uncle on the day of their funeral that they’re going to heaven to meet the angels. tell them they were miserable people and they died from being involved in criminal activities .maybe in hell they’ll be doing the same thing.we have to wake up and face the facts.
Who tell you all of that?
Like you have more information than the police? Most def more than media and gen population.
Maybe you should go give a statement if you’re so convicted in your truth to talk on a public forum.
When we open our floodgates to tom dick and harry what you expect.?? Growing up in west end in the 70’s, you could name every single person/family yard etc. in the village, we were a sharing, friendly, humble people who did whatever it took to assist each other. For example when someone/anyone in the village was casting a roof you had more hands on deck than needed. No money was required, a simple act of kindness was exhibited all day every day. We fried bonito fish kill a goat and drank shafer or old milwakee beer, and nobody left until that roof or columns or whatever the task was completed. I truly miss that Tortola…so i hear alot of nonsense over the years about Tortola people this and that, trust me to those critics you sadly missed out on those good old days in paradise. This Tortola today i do not know! I’m truly sadened for this young gentleman his grieving family/friends, and my heart goes out to All past families similarly whos lives were forever touched by sensless acts of gun violence!!
I’m saddened just like anybody else, but why do we always pretend like these killings are random? They rarely are. Is it the guns that are the problem? Or that we haven’t figured out why our young men are willing to risk their safety for cash security? The guns come with the territory many of them are in, whether we like it or not. That’s here, there and everywhere.
How can we bolster our economy and our social fabric in a way that benefits and supports the dreams of our young persons, that doesn’t just fill the government’s treasury, where it sits like a flock of ducks.
We talk a lot about the financial services and tourism sectors being our economic pillars, generating all of this revenue. But revenue for who??? And if we are to all benefit why are so many still struggling? How is it meant to trickle down? Understand that a man is going to do what he has to do to get ahead, whether he does it by the book or otherwise.
The guns are a symptom. They’re not the root of the problem.
Let’s stop lying to ourselves.
Dear Floodgates, why is it that it is locals being killed, not Tom, Dick and Harry??
We need the immigrants because so many of the local youths want to go the way of the bling and not have productive jobs which bring long term security.
Families need to spend more time involved in the upbringing of their children, instilling family values, discipline, and self responsibility.
Everybody just has this selective rage going on. Everyone knows these people are going to almost always portray a complete opposite to who they really are. These are not the results of an individual that had nothing to do with nothing. It must be something!!! Every dog has their day!!!
Spot on! Well said.
These are the young so called businessmen that is causing significant damage to the BVI, this man was not a patriot, he was a criminal, a dangerous criminal who wrecked havoc on the very country he called home, not rejoicing over anybody’s death, but you rip what you sew.
Man acting like this local businessman was down Brewers to take a swim. Vest or not stick to running your BUSINESS instead of NARCOTICS. NDP with your BS that is why you not getting power again you are untruthful people.