Murder rate reaches eight -Cops confirm gun attack

Weeks after BVI News Online reported that a man was shot dead during a gun robbery at his home in Greenland, Tortola, police this afternoon confirmed the fatality and also released the victim’s name.

That incident brings the territory’s murder tally to eight since the start of the year.

The latest victim is Julio Pineda Ceasar, 43, said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

“Ceasar was shot at his home on the evening of September 10, and subsequently died of his injuries on September 12 at Peebles Hospital.”

“One male was arrested and interviewed in relation to the murder. However, he was released pending further investigations,” the RVIPF further said.

It added that its Major Crime Team is continuing an investigation into the murder, and  persons with information should call the RVIPF emergency numbers – Digicel 344 – 818, 1822, 1977; FLOW 545-4866; and CCT 468-9001, 468-9000.

The other seven people murdered in the British Virgin Islands since the start of the year are: David ‘Mooney’ Springette, Alston Penn, Franklyn Fahie, Jefferson Joseph, Ashburn Dawson, Shaun Richards, and Sherika Nelson.

Since the year 2008 when nine people were murdered locally, the murder rate had not passed four in any given year.