Oct. 21, 2004 – The police commissioner of the British Virgin Islands was shot and seriously wounded Thursday after he was confronted by a member of his own police force who is reportedly facing criminal charges stemming from domestic violence.
Police Commissioner Barry Webb was admitted to Peeble's Hospital on Tortola Thursday afternoon with bullet wounds to the neck and leg. His assailant, who was not fully identified by BVI authorities, was also admitted to Peeble's with a bullet wound to the head. A police assistant who was in the commissioner's office at the time of the incident sustained minor injuries and was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon after receiving medical treatment.
BVI Governor Thomas Macan asked the public for their prayers for Webb and his family. In a statement given to the press later in the day he also spoke about the irony of such an incident taking place during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.
"The constable involved had yesterday been arrested following serious allegations made against him and had been granted bail earlier today," the governor said Thursday afternoon. "It appears he was seeking retribution for his arrest."
The alleged assailant now has charges of attempted murder added to his list of criminal complaints, according to Macan.
As of late Thursday both men were still hospitalized and reported in stable condition.
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