Violent Crime Statistics: 21 Lives Lost in 2023 in US Virgin Islands District

Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands – The year 2023 has seen a tragic toll on the lives of individuals in the St Thomas, St John, and Water Island district, with 21 lives being lost to violence, according to statistics released by the US Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) on January 16.

During a briefing, Briget Conow, Captain of the St Thomas, St John and Water Island Criminal Investigations Bureau, highlighted the devastating nature of these “senseless crimes,” all of which involved the use of firearms.

Out of the 21 murders, 10 remain unsolved, prompting Conow to appeal to the community for assistance in solving these cases and supporting the grieving families affected by these tragedies.

One of the unsolved cases is the shooting death of Archie Perry Jr, the 17th person murdered on St Thomas in 2023. Perry Jr, 39, was visiting St Thomas while assisting his father, Archie Perry Sr, in the family’s construction business when he was tragically shot on September 23 at the “Concrete Bar” around 11:30pm.

The grief-stricken Perry Sr spoke at the briefing, emphasizing the wrongful nature of his son’s death and pleading with the public for any information that could lead to solving the case. He also shared a sense of guilt for bringing his son to the US Virgin Islands to work, feeling responsible for the tragedy that unfolded.

The police are offering a US$100,000 reward for any assistance that could help solve the murder of Perry Jr, as Steven Phillip, Chief of Police of the St Thomas, St John and Water Island District, urged islanders to work with the police to create safer communities.

These tragic events have prompted a plea from the police and the community for assistance and cooperation to bring closure to these cases and prevent further senseless violence. These pleas serve as a reminder of the impact these crimes have on families, communities, and the urgency to work together to address the root causes of such violence.