No lengthy speech – Community’s help needed!

Noting that he doesn’t have a lengthy speech at this time, Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews today vowed to catch the perpetrators of murder in the Territory, adding that justice will be served in each case, no matter how long it takes.

The commissioner has been under intense pressure this week, since the British Virgin Islands (BVI) recorded its fifth murder this year.

That is the highest the Territory’s murder rate has climbed in any given year since 2008 when nine people were murdered.

The latest victim, 22-year-old Shaun Richards, died Monday evening – three days after he was shot several times while he was outside a home in the troubled Long Look area of Tortola.

Commissioner Matthews, in a statement this afternoon, also appealed for witnesses to break their silence regarding all murders in the Territory.

These are the commissioner’s EXACT words:

“I am mindful that there are families who are justifiably distraught and angry; and words alone will not bring change. Therefore, I will keep my words to a minimum.

What I can say is my detectives are passionately pursuing all available leads into the recent murders, and I receive briefs and progress reports on a daily basis. We, in turn, keep family members updated.

Justice is our pursuit, and we will not give up, no matter how long it takes.

Murder enquiries, by their very nature, can be long and painstaking. However, when we do find the perpetrators of these murders or have gained reportable inroads into these investigations, then the families and public will be informed.

For now, I again seek assistance from the public with information – no matter how insignificant it may appear. Just point us in the right direction; we will take it from there. One bit of information may be all we need to connect the dots, ultimately strengthening and even expediting an investigation.

There are people living within our community who have the information, needed to help in bringing these killers to justice.

I appeal directly to them to speak to the detectives of the Major Crime Team directly by calling 368-5682 or contact me directly at Police Headquarters at 368-5414,” Commissioner Matthews further said.