UPDATE: Brandon Benjamin ID’d as Belle Vue teen gunman
Police Commissioner Mark Collins has described the recent spate of gun crimes and drug seizures in the territory as distressing and unsettling.
Collins shared that observation in a media release sent out by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) following the arrest of a teenage gunman recently. The gunman has since been identified as Brandon Benjamin, 18, of Belle Vue.
The youth was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, after being apprehended by officers while attempting to flee on a motor scooter in the Fort Hill area, Collins said.
According to the top cop, the arrest was a result of extended surveillance patrols conducted by his Armed Response Team which has taken steps to increase visibility and enhance safety in the community in recent weeks after a number of reported shootings.
The RVIPF disclosed that reports were made this week of shots fired in the Spooner’s Estate, Gene Hill, and Mount Healthy areas where several spent shells were also recovered.
Collins, in the meantime, said it was fortunate that no injuries were reported in any of those matters. However, he counted the reports as an indication that firearms are still in abundance in the streets of the territory.
The Police Commissioner also pointed to the recent murder of Kimo Lettsome in the Long Look community, which was the third such incident since the start of the year. Collins said Lettsome was gunned down in front of his grandmother’s home a little over a week ago in a cowardly and senseless act.
“This took place in a small community like Long Look at a time when people are out and about. This is distressing, to say the least,” Collins shared. “These events, along with the recent drug seizures and further arrests, are understandably unsettling.”
While making a public appeal for persons to continue to share information with the police on any persons known to be carrying or in possession of a firearm, Collins said everyone can work together to restore calm in the various communities.
He urged persons with information to contact the RVIPF’s Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or the Crimestoppers Hotline number at 800-8477.
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Set of nuisance in the place. Round all their backsides up. Suppose that foo fired a shot that hit and killed someone. They have no regard for human lives..NONE!!!
We have to be tougher on crime and especially guns and ammunition. Anyone involved and not from here automatic deportation and this is not done. Go over the records and clean up the place.
Why dem mentioned the minor’s name? If he was white it would’ve been different.
he isn’t a minor he is 18
I’d he’s 18 years old they are no longer a minor but under the law an ADULt
@double standards
He’s 18, he’s not a minor.
Don’t be a c*nt, when last you heard of a white person IN THE BVI, firing shots??? F@%#ing mor●n
If a lot more of these scooter guys were stopped and searched for sure more guns would be found
@double standard
What f**king minor. He is an 18 year old adukt who should know right from wrong. Stupid f**king people like to make everything a racial issue. Suppose it was one of your family the victim, would you feel the same way. They should publish his picture. Lil f**king punk a** criminal.
Foolish set of moomoo, nuts aint even drop yet but want walk around with gun. Go look piece of wife and stop your nonsense.
Exactly, he’s 18. And a lot of them does want to act like big man. He and his entire crew is just a set of wannabes. He lil partna from St.Kitts that used to work Bobby’s is a hothead and the people them tired complain about him and how he does go work smelling stink. LOL you ever hear more??? Acting like big man but smelling like a ram goat SMH That’s how their crew does roll, you can smell them before you see them.
When the last time (or 1st) time a white teen shot up the BVI? Any examples to share?
he is 18, clearly not a minor.
Never and neither a yellow man. Always everytime and without fail,tis a black from yonder and or a spawn and never a daddy in sight.
you got to be that midnight dude from the yellow site , that’s all he good for he needs to get a teddy bear ?
Dear Commissioner,
Your RVIPF are not fit for purpose, and it is not only about funding. You know it, please do something about it.
Thank you.
This lying commissioner still around?
Fool you need to ck your self before you speak
When a white man shot anybody in the Caribbean period..eh?
It happen in Antigua, where a texan white man shoot up 2 police officer crippling one. And the government at the time hide the white man as they sneak him out a jail to the USA. Amidst watch a protest by black power groups who knew the black premier at the time will do what white people instruct him to do. Even now in Antigua a next British white man is in jail in Antigua for rape. And england decree he can’t go in jail with other blacks so he is in a hotel with A/C and woman visits and allowed to go supermarket shopping you name it. And if the Air conditioning break down or electricity go off Antigua government has to compansate the white prisoner. You see racism?