Critical condition -Social media ‘suspect’ released

Acting on information circulated on social media, police have held one person in relation to the shooting of Shaun Richards, who remains in critical condition at hospital.

However, the person who was held after the incident in the Long Look area of Tortola on Saturday night (May 6), has been released without charge.

Hours after Richards was shot, the photo of a young man was circulated on social media, along with the caption – “trigger man from last night’s shooting”.

In a media release this afternoon, the RVIPF did not specify the social media post that it had followed.

But it said: “Police responded to information circulated through social media, and have interviewed one person. That person was released without charge. Investigations are ongoing.”

Dark-coloured clothing

The RVIPF, in the meantime, made what it called a special appeal for information from persons who saw “a man dressed in dark-coloured clothing with a hoodie, walking or running past the Stickett around 10pm on Saturday night”.

Persons should contact the Major Crime Team directly at 368-5682, added the RVIPF.

The police force also confirmed earlier BVI News Online reports as to how the shooting allegedly unfolded.

It said: “Witnesses to Saturday night’s shooting in Long Look stated that a lone gunman walked up to the victim, who was at the time outside a home in Long Look, fired several shots and fled in the direction of the Stickett. The male victim remains in critical condition at Peebles Hospital,” added the RVIPF.