BVI News

Who killed Jamal Smith? Police seek public’s help

Local attorney-at-law, Jamal Smith.

While calling on the public for assistance, the police has officially released the identity of the attorney who was shot and killed at a residence in Manual Hill on Monday.

He has been identified as 46-year-old Jamal Smith, a prominent local lawyer who served recently as chairman of Labour Arbitration Tribunal.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, they received a 911 call at approximately 7:30 pm about a shooting at Manuel Reef.

“Upon arrival, thorough searches were conducted in the area, but nothing suspicious was initially found. Further investigations by officers led them to a residence in the Manuel Hill area. After a thorough search of the premises, officers discovered the lifeless body of Mr Jamal Smith, 46, of Manuel Hill, an Attorney at law, with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The RVIPF is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the RVIPF said in statement on Wednesday.

“We wish to reassure the community that our dedicated officers are fully committed to conducting a comprehensive and timely investigation into this matter. The safety and security of our residents remain our utmost priority,” the police added.

In the meantime, Acting Governor David Archer Jr said a meeting with the National Security Council was scheduled today to discuss the incident.

The RVIPF is also appealing to anyone who may have seen Smith Monday evening or anyone who have any information related to the incident to call the Crime Stoppers line at 800-8477 (TIPS) or contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339.

“Every piece of information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could prove crucial in advancing the ongoing investigation,” the police said.

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18 Comments

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  1. I hope this case gets solved says:

    as I have for all the others that remain unsolved.

    This killing is very troubling. I am very troubled because of what we know thus far:

    A murder occurred in someone’s home, and there is/are a person(s) who committed this heinous crime walking around this island who is responsible for such a brazen act.

    I am also troubled that too often these cases go unsolved. I trust for the sake of the family, the victim, and the community that this case gets solved.

    I personally hope that somebody…anybody with any knowledge of who committed this despicable crime reports it to law enforcement.

    As a country..as a community…we cannot allow these kinds of crimes to go unpunished.

    The RVIPF needs to get his cell phone records, any CCTV images/videos, business records, and speak to every person who had recent contact with him to get to the bottom of this.

    This murder is going to require some good old fashion police investigative work as well as the utilization of all forensic tools available to solve. It can be done. Lets help law enforcement solve it.

    This place is fast descending into hell, and it’s up to the good people of the BVI to curtail this menace that has been plaguing us far too long.

    When there are those amongst us who will kill people in their homes, we have all got to pay attention. This could be you or I, or any one of our family members.

    I personally did not know Attorney Smith; however, I don’t have to know him to express my sadness and shock at his untimely passing in this manner.

    We have got to get the killer(s) off the streets and put them where they belong.

    Cases like these warrants the death penalty, and I certainly wish that was an option for those who kill others in this manner whenever they are caught and convicted.

    Please folks, let’s band together, and do what’s right. If you saw or heard something, let law enforcement know.

    The person who made that 911 call around 7:30 pm is a good citizen, and did the right thing. They provided a timeline of this murder that would hopefully help law enforcement to start putting their evidence together.

    We need more people to come forward and fill in the rest. I urge anyone with knowledge of this crime to report it to law enforcement.

    My sincere condolences to Attorney Smith’s family. I am sorry for your loss. Keep the faith that his murder will be solved so that he can rest in peace.

    Like 54
  2. Eldread says:

    I agree that the police get video survailance from all the neighbors video cameras to crack this case, every moving car recorded on the road at that time should be contacted.

  3. Dangerous profession says:

    in the BVI is being a lawyer and involved with the BVI government. Normally lawyers have to be thick skinned to deal with their various suspicious clients but here they should wear bullet proof clothing and be licensed to carry concealed weapons.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
  4. Black box says:

    Police seeking help they are involved in dis west Bank send the Hit

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  5. Can't says:

    Can’t report dis to police they will tell the killer u tell them that why no ant talking

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  6. Concern says:

    That remind of the Murder of the young and upcoming attorney Mr. Penn (Reds). I don’t his murder was ever caught up to this day. Stop killing our positive men who want to help this country.

    Like 11
  7. Free Advice. says:

    Some of those Police Officers who are up for retirement at age 55 They need to ask them to stay on another 5 or 10 years on Contract. Most of them are Honest and well-seasoned.

  8. @ I hope this one gets solved quickly. says:

    I too agree with your Comment and am praying that this case is solved speedily. This is too much now.
    Everybody needs to get involved. Immigration needs to check their arrival and departure logs for the day before, the same day and the day after. Anything suspicious around his House and Office and inside.
    I really hope this one don’t go unsolved.

  9. Over seas says:

    West we don’t want your money we want you D**d and your clown Crew as u get out we coming for you

  10. . says:

    Fits and he son K*O is who kill Kendall penn, now father and son dead how any one going to find the killer

  11. 100 round drum says:

    All the police working with west going under the ground soon

  12. Tears in my eyes says:

    Mr Smith was a stand up guy he never afraid to put him foot down I know west pay for this. They bring back the body of TT dude get kill in TT so they can get more Hit man in the country. Blue u can’t go back TT here playing bad in a next man country, this place is small the police getting paid good and still taking money from drugs deals

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  13. Game changer says:

    Nyron it have your sher of 30_06 waiting for you

  14. Indictable crimes says:

    The police seize a boat full of cocaine on Tues. March 5 near Hodges Creek Marina but the 3 smugglers magically escape. 6 days later the lawyer J.Smith is executed in his home near Manuel Reef. Coincidence or a pattern??

    Next time there is a suspected drug boat chase at sea please disable the boat at sea and arrest the swimming smugglers. Bad things happen when smugglers escape on land.

    • @Indictable crimes says:

      I infer that based on what you wrote that you believe that there is a connection between the cocaine boat seizure and the deceased.

      Questions:

      Do you believe that the victim was involved in someway with illegal drugs? Yes, or NO? If so, please explain.

      Don’t half step out. You put it out there. Defend it.

  15. Ok says:

    Reading the comments we ask when will firearms be legal because it seems predators are walking in what was our villages thinking we are vulnerable. This needs to stop plenty people get mowed down in day light no help.

    When a massacre starts it will be to late to call police. Allow citizens to defend themselves. Down to pepper spray is illegal yet criminals going in people home with gun up close to kill them time & time again.

    Stop playing with our lives as if police can protect us.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  16. Cock eye rooster says:

    WELL I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THESE KILLERS ARE DEAD AND THOSE WHO PAY TO HAVE OTHERS KILLED ARE DEAD JUST A FEW MORE LEFT EVENTUALY THEY WILL KILL EACH OTHER AFTER THAT JUST CLOSE THE FILE PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

  17. Awake BVI says:

    Evil never sleeps. As long as this earth continues, it will be with us and has been with us from the fall of human kind.The longer a killer remains unpunished, the more embolden that criminal becomes and will erase not only other killers, but innocent people as well. Silence will not stop the cycle, it will not goaway.

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