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UPDATE: Eric Mathias Sr shot @ Horse Path home - RVIPF

-Police seeking persons with information on incident
An area in Horse Path where the attempted robbery is said to have occurred. Photo: VINO
A taxi driver is currently undergoing emergency surgery at D. Orlando Smith Hospital after he was shot in the abdomen last night, December 4, 2019. Photo: VINO/File
A taxi driver is currently undergoing emergency surgery at D. Orlando Smith Hospital after he was shot in the abdomen last night, December 4, 2019. Photo: VINO/File
HORSE PATH, Tortola, VI- New details are emerging about the attempted robbery and shooting that occurred in the late hours of yesterday, Wednesday, December 4, 2019, which resulted in Taxi driver Eric Mathias Sr receiving a gunshot to the abdomen.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police (RVIPF) said in a release today, December 5, 2019, that “Well-known taxi driver with the BVI Taxi Association, Eric Mathias Sr., who had just arrived at his residence in Horse Path was held at gunpoint by an unknown male and told to put everything in a bag.”

It noted that he was then shot while trying to hide behind a column and the suspect escaped on foot.  The suspect was also described as a male who is tall and slim built, and at the time, he was wearing all black with a mask on his face.

The Force is asking that persons with information about the incident or who can identify the suspect to contact the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) through the RVIPF’s access number 311.

Virgin Islands News Online will bring more information as they become available.

See previous story published today, December 5, 2019

Taxi driver shot in abdomen

- identified as Eric Mattias

MEYERS ESTATE, Tortola, VI- Reports reaching our news desk indicate that a taxi driver is currently undergoing emergency surgery at D. Orlando Smith Hospital after he was shot last night, December 4, 2019.

The taxi driver has been identified as Eric Mattias of Huntums Ghut, Tortola.

According to reports from senior sources of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Mr Mattias was shot in the abdomen sometime after 10:00pm in an apparent robbery somewhere between Meyers Estate and Soldier's Hill.

Police are investigating.

Meanwhile, Police Information Officer Akia L. Thomas confirmed the shooting incident and noted that a statement will be sent out to the media shortly.

26 Responses to “UPDATE: Eric Mathias Sr shot @ Horse Path home - RVIPF”

  • oh boy (05/12/2019, 09:23) Like (51) Dislike (3) Reply
    I hate to say this, but the government is sleeping when it come to guns on this island. When last have we heard anything from them about tackling gun violence??? When little Trinity and others were being gunned now, there was no outrage. The police used to do stop and search, then all of a sudden they stopped. I wish Eric a speedy recovery and I hope those responsible, will be caught and brought to justice.
    • dude (05/12/2019, 18:22) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      What would you suggest they do? And how do you think legislation would've solved this? I also ask why was Eric randomly targeted? I've said it before but if the assailant knew that Eric was carrying his own heat they would've thought a lot longer about trying this crime.
  • In Law (05/12/2019, 09:50) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Speedy recovery..
  • east (05/12/2019, 10:37) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    come on VIP is in crime should be going down!
  • rewrsdffds (05/12/2019, 10:38) Like (84) Dislike (4) Reply
    THE ROADS ARE TOOOO DARKKKKKK!!
  • ha (05/12/2019, 10:39) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government is sleeping on everything police and law enforcement related.
  • Ramona (05/12/2019, 12:16) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Police report to the Governor and the Governor should report to the UK and VI citizens.
  • smoke (05/12/2019, 12:43) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    @oh Boy, really!!!... The government didn't pull the trigger.
    • To smoke (05/12/2019, 21:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You need to wake tf up and stop acting dumb. Did anyone say the government pulled the trigger....I bet you are one of those trigger happy gunmen out there
  • one robbery (05/12/2019, 16:10) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    and they blame the government sick of these people
  • crime (05/12/2019, 18:25) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    I though Fahie said crime will be down
  • GCB (05/12/2019, 18:27) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tola is a quiet & small place, somebody must know something
  • Gummy Bear (05/12/2019, 18:30) Like (7) Dislike (31) Reply
    What RVIF looking what they already know? Is them island people committing the crime, check 90% of the crimes in BVI. Island people & Vincy.
    • Also... (05/12/2019, 18:54) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      & your muda. How can u miss that?
      • Dujakus (06/12/2019, 03:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Said just like an updeislunan scavenger or one of their pickney. Out of several hundred various nationalities and countries that have made the VI their home,an accurate profile of this black masked bumbling bandit could be written with no effort or additional info.
    • Stfums (05/12/2019, 19:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lol go €@+ sum @hs . School system failed us, I thought Australia was the only island Continent... Well I guess there are many more
  • NezRez (05/12/2019, 19:18) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    People work hard all day and then some low life piece of scum, who sleep all day and waiting for working people to come home, to rob and kill them. I hope he is found and set the jail on top if him. NO BAIL!
  • old (05/12/2019, 21:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You no how committing the crime you need to go and tell the police .for your mouth ..
  • tola (05/12/2019, 22:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    That person know who him good and know the time he come home. Could be someone close too. Trust no one

  • Honestly (06/12/2019, 06:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to pay attention to what's going on in Jamaica and do all we can to keep BVI name out of international News in a negative way.. Nothing destroys a small economy more than Gun Crimes... We are already struggling to get tourist and money seems to be in low supply.... Can't allow Gun crimes to damaged our BVI..
  • Payle Ryder (06/12/2019, 09:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The majority of the crimes committed it is the down island people. It had to be someone who was watching the man movements. What a shame. Mr.M is a very nice man and he didnot deserve what happen to him. Money talks, someone private is going to offer $5,000 for information on the robber and where to find him.
  • @Honestly (06/12/2019, 12:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jamaica has 4 million tourist already for 2019. How Jamaica get into this? People only talk about the bad of Jamaica and never see the good.You cannot compare Jamaica to Tortola it’s the third largest Caribbean country
    • Consolation (06/12/2019, 15:22) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Well look at the murder statistics globally(the whole wide world)..and feel better.'Jamaica ranks number8 just in murder globally..Jamaicans murderingJamaicans. As of Nov 30,more than 1,000 murders for the year.. The second upward trend is skin whitening Skin bleaching cream and guns are best sellers in Jamsica.
  • student (06/12/2019, 19:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine going away to study hard to become a doctor or something of sort...only to come back home to be worried about being stalked and robbed at gunpoint with no way to protect themselves...stories like these also contribute to why intelligent and successful BVI Islanders are at times fearful of returning back home. We need to see some progress and some effort place into preventing such notions.


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