BVI records fourth murder – Joseph shot

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has recorded a fourth murder since the start of the year.

A man identified as Jefferson Joseph was gunned down outside CSY Dock on Tortola this morning, April 16.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed the incident.

“Police are confirming the death a male following a shooting incident outside the CSY Dock this morning. The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” said the RVIPF.

Photos being circulated on social media show Joseph clad in black and sitting in the driver’s seat of a bloodied vehicle – seemingly lifeless.

His head is resting on the door closest to the driver’s seat. The window across from him is shattered.

Joseph, over the years, has been implicated in different crimes in the territory.

He was released recently from Her Majesty’s Prison.

A few years ago, Joseph was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment in relation to drug and gun charges. In a breakdown of his sentences, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards sentenced him to 18 months for keeping an unlicensed firearm, three months for possession of explosive, seven months for possession of cannabis, and 30 months for possession of cocaine. The sentences were to run concurrently (at the same time).

In another case, Jefferson was arrested and charged for allegedly inciting another person to murder Melbourne Francis, who was gunned down in Long Look, Tortola, on May 9, 2013.

The prosecution claimed that Joseph offered St Kitts native Andraes Norford $13,000 to murder Francis.

It is further alleged that, following the shooting, Joseph and Norford had several conversations about what took place, and Norford even admitted that he carried out the gun attack.

In addition to the incident this morning, there have been two other gun murders in the territory since the start of the year. The victims were Ashburn Dawson and Franklyn Fahie. Another murder victim, Alston Penn, was beaten to death.