No suspects named yet in Greenland fatal shooting

Police have not yet named any suspects or released a motive in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in the Greenland area of Tortola on Friday night, June 20.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) confirmed in a brief statement that “one male has been fatally wounded” and said inquiries are ongoing. Officers remained at the scene as of Friday night.

Local news reports have identified the victim as Eric Albert, a fire officer at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. He was reportedly shot just before 11 p.m. near a popular bar in the Greenland area.

This latest killing comes less than two months after the murder of Nyron Erickson, who was gunned down while riding a scooter in West End on May 10. In that case, police named a suspect—John Emmanuel, also known as Brent Dawn Emmanuel or “Small Brent”—and warned that he remained a threat in the territory.

Gun violence has been on the rise in the Virgin Islands over the past year. The RVIPF recently reported a 12 per cent increase in crime and noted ongoing efforts to arrest individuals in possession of illegal firearms.