BVI News

Two men charged with murder-robbery; woman charged for aiding

Two men and a woman were today (Wednesday, April 28) charged in connection with the April 18 robbery-homicide in Paraquita Bay where Catherine Pickering was fatally shot outside her home.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has charged 22-year-old Akeem Hopkinson and 28-year-old Shameek Grant with murder and robbery.

The Zion Hill residents were also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The lone female among the group — 20-year-old Tyann Smith of Freshwater Pond — was charged with aiding offenders in this incident, the RVIPF said.

“Early this morning, I was able to visit the detectives at the station and congratulated them personally for their diligence in this matter. I am very pleased with the swift actions and work of these detectives. I also made a call to Ms Pickering’s daughter to apprise her of the new developments,” Police Commissioner Mark Collins said while commenting on today’s bust.

In the meantime, the trio now joins Shemar Richardson, 24, who appeared before the Magistrate’s Court last week on a similar robbery charge relating to the same incident.

Prosecutors have alleged that Richardson’s involvement in the robbery-homicide was that he fed inside information to the perpetrators who executed the crime on the night in question.

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61 Comments

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  1. Hmmm says:

    Where dem from?

    Like 16
    Dislike 36
    • Tilda says:

      Same place as you!

      Like 32
    • Lol says:

      Ask again.. lol. They like to call down on ‘down island’ people..like BVI is a continent. And I always say, regardless of the situation,we are all humans. So the ‘down island people ‘ vs. BVI people saga needs to stop because this type of discrimination is not far from racism.

      Like 36
      Dislike 6
      • Surprise me says:

        Hmmm and Tilda have a conversation and look how you bring yourself into it with your racist comments. Just let those things go. In time each one of us will have to own up. Allow God to handle these issues and He will!

        Like 6
        Dislike 1
      • Ras says:

        Here we go again with this up and down f again,a woman is left dead over greed,and all you m f is worrying about were he or she is from,that real low.a murderer is a murderer were ever he or she is from.

        Like 15
      • HumansWeareaTrip says:

        Its wrong yes, but this is not a VI only thing I have been told you back where you are from while visiting some of these same islands.

      • @LOL says:

        Please stop, their parents are from the BVI and the other islands as well.

    • 1st district says:

      @Hhhhh, years ago Mr Stoutt in a graduation speach named out a list of positive and negetive careers to the graduates. And this was one, HELLO, OUR OWN CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!

    • Look says:

      You all stop adding and adding to this ridiculous stance – it does not matter where they from. The point is they [allegedly] killed an innocent lady and it could have been anyone – grow the hell up – shocks man.

      Like 20
  2. Great work says:

    This is great news and I hope justice is served for this senseless act. My condolences to the family of the individual. To everyone that worked to solve this case excellent work. This shouldn’t stop there though, other countless unsolved crimes that needs attention.

    Like 71
  3. So maybe says:

    Maybe it’s time for a public hanging upon conviction to send a strong message that this shit must stop and WILL stop. Great tourist attraction too.

    Like 55
    Dislike 11
  4. Father says:

    I KNEW IT. I KNEW RICHARDSON DIDNT KILL

    Like 11
    Dislike 32
  5. Zubida says:

    What a shame

    Like 15
    Dislike 3
  6. Smh says:

    What you mean shameek Grant(kos). Thought his mother said he didn’t do anything causs he was with her smh. Miss your son is a criminal,can’t sympathize with you when you was quick to take him out of water. If my son did anything God forbid, im letting them know, i have no clue you do your investigation, i aint putting my head on the block for nobody. I gotta be 100% sure my son didn’t do anything before i back him up.

    Like 109
    Dislike 5
    • True says:

      That’s another thing- parents who out there protecting their children when they do wrong need to stop it. Turn their behinds in. Better safe behind bars than out here with supposingly “green lights” on them. Speak to and encourage your children daily. Pray for them daily; find out how their day going. Your children so they’re never too old to cut dem backside – don’t worry they ain’t going hit you back (could be a talk backside cut). Spare the rod- spoil the child so if the police get in the way give them a few lashes too- full of nonsense.

      Like 16
      • @True says:

        It is sad but THE GREEN LIGHT THING IS TRUE. IF I HEARD THE GREEN LIGHT WAS ON ME, I WOULD TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. ONCE THE GREEN LIGHT IS ON YOU, IT IS GOING TO HIT THE TARGET.

    • X says:

      Same here. I told my children if they go out and do stupidness, they must use their one phone call wisely. Don’t call me.

      Like 36
    • Tolian 2 says:

      This is the reason why most of the children are the way they are today . PARENTS are encouraging foolish, lying and criminal behavior. Ayou must STOP IT! Turn in your children when you know they have done wrong and DO NOT cover for them. Train up your children with respect and stop breeding little thugs and worst of all encouraging such behavior!!! When your children are small, STOP dressing them with all this gold and fanciness and spoiling them or else when they get older, they will kill to maintain the lifestyle you TAUGHT them.

      Like 27
      • @ Tolian 2 says:

        I need to love on this comment a million times. I have said it time and time again, parents need to stop covering for their child’s wrongdoing. It starts from an impressionable age. Bring home a pencil or eraser that doesn’t belong to you – Take it right back. The stupid big gold chains and all kinds of unnecessary gadgets spoiling them all in the name of love. I am not saying you can’t buy stuff for your children, but it is important to TRAIN them properly because this mother will not be condoning nonsense. As my fellow blogger said ‘When you do your nonsense out there do not think I will be backing you up. I am so serious.

  7. Iris says:

    Justice well served !!!!!!

    Like 30
  8. Shak says:

    Your brother just come home to see you gone jail, real clown shoulda follow his path from living a lifestyle you ain’t bout #clown

    Like 52
    Dislike 2
  9. Well done officers says:

    A job well done, may justice prevail.

    Like 29
  10. @ innocent youths says:

    Yeah they are surely giving the rest of the world another view of our nature’s little (dark ) secrets and to add insult to injury , there are some who are willing to give them an award of innocence –

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  11. @ father says:

    No he only masteminded it / how wonderful / he deserves a trophy for his brilliance

    Like 9
    Dislike 2
  12. I said it says:

    @ smh if the son was with his mother according to his mother it means that the mother was part of the plot.lol I said it that some family member or members have their pickney trying to protect them from prosecution. the mother need to be charged to.

    Like 73
    Dislike 3
    • SHAME says:

      I said it
      when you shame…you said anything I feel so good just to let them see that it’s no God damn down island people do this one so they can take there foot off there back.cry all you want now mom.

      Like 6
      Dislike 7
      • Justice served- message to all says:

        Exactly when mom does act she better than everybody. Stop studying other people and study your son and what he be doing. Trying to convince people your son innocent but this time is he a murderer?

        Like 9
        Dislike 1
      • Shame not says:

        “God” and “damn” Hope you came, because you have a lot pent up inside of you. Now I see why your name is SHAME!!!

        Like 2
        Dislike 2
      • Anonymous says:

        Hopkins and Grant are both Eastern Caribbeab sir names.

        Hopkins migrated first and Grant second.

        Like 3
        Dislike 2
    • true says:

      They should also charge the mother with aiding and abetting , send he to jail, perhaps this would send the message to not protect blindly.

    • Watch ya says:

      Hopefully she just said it to the public and not an official statement to the police because she can be charged for obstruction of justice

      Like 10
      Dislike 1
  13. Whippo says:

    How that young lady got herself in a situation such as this?

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  14. Hip to the horay says:

    I told you guys that the others will be caught. Even when they were released I knew it would only be a matter of time before they would be in the cage. Bet they are dropping a whole lot of tears especially the girl who thought she was a bad woman. Bet she went softer than a sponge cake. Enjoy your stay behind the walls.

    Like 14
  15. Where’s the photos says:

    Post pictures of DUMB, DUMBER AND THE SHE DEVIL. THE STREETS REALLY CAME THROUGH THIS TIME. THE STREETS DON’T CONDONE SHOOTING ANYONE’S MOTHER IN THE HEAD.

    Like 32
  16. There you go says:

    The mother should be charged also. No one believed her anyway. Was she trying to cover her son crime and lied? Shame on her. She will be getting a whole lot of side eye looks.

    Like 24
  17. Oblivion says:

    I’m generally opposed to the death penalty, but case makes me wish hanging was still an option.

    Like 13
  18. Yoww says:

    Them ain’t from no ZION HILL stop making west end look bad !!!

    Like 18
    Dislike 1
    • Said the same thing says:

      NAWWW, NOT ZION HILL PEOPLE IN ZION HILL DON’T GET DOWN LIKE THAT. WE DON’T WANT ANY PART OF THAT DRAMA. DON’T GO PUTTING US IN S**T WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH.

      Like 8
      Dislike 1
  19. Hmmm says:

    From where they are from? Locals or not?

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  20. ok says:

    Every cloud has a silver lining, Pumpkin has just arrived back for a long stretch so he can strech these young boys.

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  21. Ausar says:

    This is great news!

    We need to see MORE of these types of arrests,especially, for the heinous crimes been committed more recently!

    Justice NEEDED for Frankie Penn and little Trinity!

    JUSTICE!!!!!

    Like 25
    • @Ausar says:

      Penn and Tiffany deaths will be avenged by the sword, gun STREET STYLE IF THE POLICE DON’T GET TO THEM FIRST. GIVE YOURSELF UP TO THE POLICE WHERE YOU WILL BE SAFER FROM WHAT IS COMING YOUR WAY.

  22. Sigh says:

    Boy Kos, we all saw the pain you and your family felt when your beloved cousin was murdered. Now to go and [allegedly] inflict that same pain on somebody else’s family! That’s so messed up.

    Like 17
  23. ABC says:

    xxx good work. The royal virgin island police is on a role, next move on to Bob and Simmons cases.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Here we go again with the up and down island f again,a murderer is a murderer were ever he or she is from

  25. @AUSAR says:

    Justice will be served for them also, from my heart I feel that. Every thing in due time.

  26. TRUTH says:

    what the community fail to realize these boys are only out here trying to prove to people who can careless about what they have in life…..KOS for one he suppose to be a son.brother ,grandson and father to others and this is the example you giving out. i dont care if itS:”HARD TIME”‘ SO LOOK WORK
    !!!!!!

  27. @ @ father says:

    If anyone supply information willingly to put down a crime then they are an accomplice ( did they put a gun to his head for the information which he provided plus the lady was putting food on his table / he was even given a ride home the same night so he still had a chance to change his dirty mind ( and who knows what else that INNOCENT chil might be involved in

  28. Legal Observer says:

    Based on the allegations set out by the DPP, it’ll be very interesting to see if the murder and/or robbery charges against Grant will hold up in court. While I agree that knowledge of the crime makes him just as bad as Hopkinson (alleged trigger man) and Richardson (alleged inside man), the DPP’s own evidence says that CCTV footage shows Grant in his residence at the time of the robbery and murder. If Grant was at home, he didn’t physically commit robbery nor murder. At best, there’s an argument that Grant “conspired with others” to commit these crimes, or that he benefitted from “proceeds of crime”. Without an additional charge of conspiracy to commit robbery/murder against Grant, I wouldn’t be surprised if a good lawyer gets him off scot free in court based on a technicality and what seems like another rushed charging attempt by our DPP’s office. I truly hope our DPP reconsiders the charges in order to secure a conviction, otherwise we can add his “not guilty” verdict to the long list of examples of our DPP’s office fumbling a “slam dunk” case. We know that the burden of proof is on the DPP to prove that Grant committed robbery and murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Grant doesn’t have to prove his innocence; the DPP needs to prove his guilt. Can the DPP prove this if they rely on CCTV footage showing Grant in his residence at the time that the robbery and murder was taking place?

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  29. Belonger says:

    No island ppls should have a say,2nd innocent until proven guilty.Amy mother hokng to protect her child od all cost ,

  30. Belonger says:

    No island ppls should have a say,2nd innocent until proven guilty.Amy mothe

    r hokng to protect her child od all cost ,

  31. Gate man says:

    Does the POLICE HAVE BALLISTIC AND GUNSHOT RESIDUE TESTING

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