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National Security Council condemns 'heinous' weekend shootings

- expresses condolences to bereaved families
The National Security Council (NSC) convened a special meeting on Monday, July 29, 2024, following the two unrelated shootings. One of the shootings resulted in the death of a man Photo: Internet Source
Jareem A. Todman, left, was shot and killed on Sunday, July 28, 2024, near Road Town Market Square, and Nashawnta Smith, right, was shot on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Jareem A. Todman, left, was shot and killed on Sunday, July 28, 2024, near Road Town Market Square, and Nashawnta Smith, right, was shot on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The National Security Council (NSC) has expressed condolences to the family and friends of Jareem A. Todman who was shot and killed on Sunday, July 28, 2024, near Road Town Market Square, as well as those of Nashawnta Smith who was shot on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

The NSC described the shootings as “two heinous and brazen acts of violence”. 

Smith was wounded in the shooting at Baughers Bay and was a patient at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital. 

Special Meeting Convened

The NCS convened a special meeting on Monday, July 29, 2024, following the two unrelated shootings, where the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) updated the members on the incidents, setting out the next steps in their investigations. 

The NSC comprises the Governor His Excellency Daniel Pruce, as Chairman and members, including the Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), the Attorney General Dawn J. Smith and the Commissioner of Police Mr Mark Collins. 

In a statement from the NSC, gratefulness was expressed for the RVIPF’s quick response. The NSC also offered its full support for the police investigation.

Zero-tolerance Policy to crime

The statement added that the NSC believes the recent murder is shocking and disturbing while reiterating its policy of zero-tolerance to crime.

Based on the information from the RVIPF, the two incidents over the weekend were allegedly premeditated and calculated acts of violence. 

In collaboration with the RVIPF and other law enforcement and criminal justice partners, the NSC is working to address the root cause of this and other types of crimes in the [British] Virgin Islands. 

Citizens called on to play a role in crime prevention

The NSC also called on each citizen to play their role in the prevention and detection of crime as crime prevention requires community effort.

Anyone with relevant information to contact the police urgently or call Crime Stoppers and the confidential and untraceable hotline at 800-8477[TIPS], 800-847-8477 and 368-9339. 

13 Responses to “National Security Council condemns 'heinous' weekend shootings”

  • WOW (30/07/2024, 08:38) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all condemn it ??? OMG , what the hell you all doing about it, that’s the real question,,come on , you all stay there and play the fools, don’t worry , soon from now , we won’t be able to walk the streets, it’s getting out of hand and all you all people are doing about it is complaining, we need clear rules and serious consequences, and the senators please, get to work, if some one is caught with a fire arm (10 years automatically) high power rifle (15 years )) one bullet (one year)) so if the person have a fire arm and 30 bullets , that’s 40 years in their backside.. bet you they will stop,
  • waste of time (30/07/2024, 08:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    and what this meeting going to solve? *$i still going to fall

  • mmmm (30/07/2024, 09:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nsc waste of time and members a bunch of jokers nothing will come out of this just a bunch of sorry statments and drinking wine and laughing at people in the background
  • IS THAT (30/07/2024, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    GOING TO STOP IT ? EVERY TIME THESE WANNABE GANSTERS WE HAVE HERE DECIDES TO FLEX OFF THEMSELVES IN OUR HOLY LAND ( AKA) THE KILLING FIELDS / YOU ALL JUST HOLLWR OUT AND ITS BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL , AND THE THEN POINT YOUR FINGERS AT THE ( UK - GOVERNOR - OR THE COMMISSIONER ( AKA ) THE COLONIALISTS , AS THE CANARY ON THIS DOES BE PREACHING DAILY IN HIS SERMON , INSTEAD OF WHAT IS BECOMING OF OUR COUNTRY AT THE HANDS OF OUR OWN HOME GROWN WANNABE GANSTERS , THAT IS WALKING IN THE STREETS AMONGST US
  • jack (30/07/2024, 09:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This council should have done better for the community instead of expressing sorrow,alot of youth on the streets who doesn't want to work but seeking fast money have to mental capacity as the parents, some follow the footstep of there parents.
  • radio. (30/07/2024, 10:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    "National security council issues statement as usual"

  • 70thfreedom (30/07/2024, 10:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's sad to see these things happen but Smith got shot long bush last year. He gets shot again this year is it coincidence? Todman is a fireman/business man. Looking like a hard working man to me. Now he was killed in what looks like a very deliberate and targeted way. Is there something wrong with the picture? I leave it to people to be truthful about these wicked deeds. Are these persons upright citizens who were unfortunate to be in the right place at the wrong time? Jesus was crucified for the sins of mankind yet he committed no crime to be crucified. Are these persons good or bad or both?
  • same bull different day (30/07/2024, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SAME THINGS REPEATED AFTER EVERY MURDER

  • Agreeable One (30/07/2024, 10:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The real powers behind the scenes will tell you that there is no money in prevention. If we are serious we will look the truth of the matter. There are young men who are already caught up, then there are those who about to enter the game, and then we have the very young ones still at home. Each group requires a different approach. Let’s start with stabilizing the homes of the young owns at home now. Fathers and mothers need to truly work together to raise the children. Love them and truly be there for them. The biggest challenge is with the men who fail as fathers. Biggup to all the single parents who do a great job raising your child or children alone. If we get this right we will see a different place down the road. And by the way, I am a man with children.
  • jokers (30/07/2024, 10:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    DAS D BEST AH DEM
  • Herbs Powa (30/07/2024, 11:00) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Until the guns turns on the NSC and their families nothing will change.
  • contenment (30/07/2024, 11:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What Is Best


    Two little girls hugging each other
    To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed. Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe. — Numbers 26:54-55

    Each week in synagogue, Jews read through the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy. The Torah portion for this week is Pinchas, which means “Phinehas,” from Numbers 25:10–30:1.

    The very first thing I do each morning when I wake up is recite the traditional Jewish morning prayers. These prayers put me in the right frame of mind and help shape my day. Among those important prayers is a blessing thanking God for providing me with everything that I need. Not everything that I want, but exactly what is best for me and what exactly I need.

    It’s also a beautiful reminder to trust that God has given me exactly what I need. I don’t need to worry about what my neighbor has, or even another member of my family. What another person has may not be what I need at all.

    In today’s reading, God instructed Moses to divide the land of Israel between the twelve tribes. Moses had just finished counting the people, and God told him: “To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one…” Moses was to assign the land according to the needs of each tribe. However, then God added this directive: “Be sure that the land is distributed by lot.”

    Learning What Is Best
    Although Moses had already assigned the portions in theory, they were to be determined by lot in practice. In giving out the land by lots, Moses was able to avoid one tribe becoming jealous of another tribe’s allocation. All would be done by lottery so that there could be no doubt that the outcome was ordained by God, just and fair. Miraculously, the lottery results were consistent with what Moses had already determined, with each tribe receiving land in proportion with its needs.

    We can learn a lot from the way that the Israelites received their portions in the Promised Land. On the one hand, it seems random—determined by the luck of the draw. On the other hand, we know that it was determined by God, and that each tribe received exactly what it needed. Wanting a larger portion would be like wanting a shirt that is too big. It may look nice, but it’s not going to fit our body.

    That’s the way that we need to approach our own “lots” in life.

    Happiness doesn’t come from having more. If that were true, then statistics would show that richer people are happier, but that’s not the case. Nor does happiness depend on having what someone else has. We need to know deep down that we have exactly what is best for us and what we need right now. Then, we can be happy with what God has given us.
  • Well (30/07/2024, 12:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    all big j had to do was be smart like stinky and pay b!


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