A police operation to curb the circulation of illegal firearms escalated overnight when officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) came under gunfire while pursuing armed suspects in the Duffs Bottom area, officials confirmed Saturday, July 19.
According to a statement from the RVIPF, the exchange occurred as officers responded to a suspected vehicle theft. No officers were injured in the incident.
Earlier in the evening, RVIPF units conducted stop-and-search operations in several locations across Tortola. In Huntums Ghut, police recovered a firearm and ammunition from a vehicle during a routine stop. One male was taken into custody. This seizure marks the second illegal firearm recovered by the force in the past 48 hours and the 14th such weapon removed from the streets in 2025.
Despite these efforts, police also responded to two additional violent incidents overnight. In Road Town, a man was robbed at gunpoint outside a nightclub. In a separate event in Long Bush, a male was shot and hospitalized with gunshot wounds to the lower body.
Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool said the events of the night represented a serious escalation in violent crime.
“While we’re making progress in removing illegal weapons, tonight’s events show our work is far from done,” Commissioner Vanterpool said in the statement. “Attacks on our officers and community members will not be tolerated.”
She added that all victims are receiving appropriate support and that investigations into each of the incidents are ongoing.
Authorities are urging members of the public to share any information that may assist the investigations. Tips can be submitted to the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously through the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477 locally or (284) 800-8477 internationally.
