Erick Rabsatt, the 24-year-old man wanted in connection with the December 2021 fatal shooting of Jaimez A. Stoutt in the British Virgin Islands, is reportedly in custody in the United States Virgin Islands.

A source close to the matter has confirmed that Rabsatt is currently being held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and is awaiting processing to be extradited to the British Virgin Islands to face charges in the case. No official statements have yet been released by authorities in either jurisdiction regarding the detention.

Stoutt, 31, was shot and killed inside Crystal’s Nightclub in Free Bottom, Tortola, on December 11, 2021. He was transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he later died. The incident occurred in the early morning hours and was followed by a police investigation that identified Rabsatt as the primary suspect. An arrest warrant was issued, and authorities launched a manhunt that extended across both the British and United States Virgin Islands.

Stoutt was a former U.S. Army soldier who served in Afghanistan in 2011. After returning to the British Virgin Islands, he worked at CCT Global Communications before founding his own landscaping business, Military Cutz. He was also known for his involvement in local basketball leagues.

Following the incident, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force issued appeals to the public for assistance in locating Rabsatt and circulated his photo throughout the region.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

At the 12th Regular Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers on Environmental Sustainability, outgoing Chairperson Hon. Julian Fraser of the Virgin Islands reflected on a term shaped by urgency, transition, and the growing impact of climate-related disasters across the region.

Fraser, who serves as Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in the Government of the Virgin Islands, offered closing remarks on Tuesday as Antigua and Barbuda officially assumed chairmanship of the Council. The handover took place during a ministerial gathering hosted in St. John’s, Antigua, where leaders convened to advance collaborative environmental policies and regional resilience strategies.

“It is indeed an honor and a privilege to present brief remarks as the outgoing Chairman,” Fraser said, extending formal gratitude to host nation Antigua and Barbuda and its Minister for Health, Wellness and Environment, Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph, the incoming chair.

In his address, Fraser recalled that in 2024, then Minister and current Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, assumed the chairmanship under the theme “From Aspiration to Focused Action.” That meeting, originally delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl, was later held in the wake of the storm’s devastation across St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.

“Beryl was the earliest category four Atlantic hurricane on record,” Fraser noted, calling it “a stark reminder of climate predictions for our region, which signal that a pattern of rapidly intensifying hurricanes… is likely to continue.”

Fraser, who took over the environment portfolio just six months ago, acknowledged the brevity of his chairmanship due to governmental transitions, but reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Council’s goals. “No fault of yours,” he said of the limited engagement, “but in fact a reality of Parliamentary Democracy.”

Despite the short term, Fraser emphasized his territory’s contributions to key initiatives, including the OECS Road Map to 2030. “On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I wish to express my gratitude for your support throughout the term,” he said.

This year’s meeting proceeds under the theme “Staying the Course in Perilous Times: Sustainable Transformation and Resilient Prosperity.” Fraser offered his full support to Minister Joseph and the Council moving forward. “I wish him and the entire Council of Ministers all the best for a successful meeting today and a well-executed work program throughout this year,” he said.

The OECS Council of Ministers: Environmental Sustainability is a key decision-making body guiding the subregion’s collective environmental agenda, from climate resilience to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

Fraser’s remarks were met with appreciation by fellow ministers and development partners, including representatives from the OECS Commission, whose Director General Dr. Didacus Jules and Head of Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, also addressed the gathering.

The meeting continues this week with high-level discussions aimed at advancing sustainable development across the Eastern Caribbean in an era of growing ecological risk.

The Virgin Islands has officially launched Vaccination Week in the Americas 2025, aligning with the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) regional campaign under the theme “Your Decision Makes a Difference: Immunisation for All.” The initiative, running from April 26 to May 3, aims to bolster immunization efforts across the territory.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, emphasized the critical role of vaccines in safeguarding public health. “Vaccines protect lives, prevent illness, and help ensure that our children, families, and communities can thrive,” he stated during the launch event.​

The campaign comes at a time when vaccine hesitancy and misinformation are contributing to a resurgence of measles globally. According to PAHO, the Americas have reported over 2,300 measles cases in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. Notably, countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have experienced substantial outbreaks, highlighting the need for sustained immunization efforts. ​

Minister Wheatley highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage, particularly among children, to prevent outbreaks. “Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death,” he warned.​

The Ministry of Health and Social Development, in collaboration with the BVI Health Services Authority and PAHO, has organized a series of activities for Vaccination Week. These include school outreach programs, medical education sessions, media engagements, and community events aimed at promoting immunization and informed decision-making.​

Healthcare providers are reminded of their legal obligation under the Infectious Disease Notification Act to promptly report all suspected or confirmed notifiable diseases to the Ministry’s Public Health Unit. Timely reporting is essential for effective disease surveillance and response.​

The campaign also underscores the importance of vaccinations for expectant mothers, individuals with chronic conditions, and the elderly. Vaccines such as the influenza and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) are recommended during pregnancy to protect both mothers and their newborns.​