Police again urged those with information about the killing of Tre’Vante Etienne to come forward while speaking Monday morning at the Savan basketball court where the 15-year-old was shot and killed three days ago.
What was described on social media as a community briefing with residents ended up being a short, recorded video update attended by St. Thomas Chief of Police Deborah Hodge, Investigations Chief Richard Dominguez, Deputy Chief Rael Donastorg, two representatives from the V.I. Gun Violence Prevention Office and several members of the media. Hodge began the briefing by telling the public that “someone saw something, someone heard something, and this is not an effort that can be handled by VIPD solely.”
“We need your help,” she said.
Dominguez added that the investigation into Friday afternoon’s killing remains “very active” and echoed Hodge’s call for help while reminding Virgin Islanders that they can send tips anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers USVI at 800-222-8477.
“It’s disheartening to know that at the time that this occurred, there was a witness that wanted to come forward and talk to police, and the victim’s so-called friends called that person off and prevented them from coming to the police,” he said. “That’s the type of information we need. People who were here, people who saw: please do the right thing and call the police with whatever you know.”
Dominguez added later that tipsters aren’t required to give their name.
“So there’s not even a witness protection issue there, because we don’t know who you are,” he said. “But we still urge people to submit information through the tip line.”
Dominguez said that it was “glaring” that Etienne was killed during an ongoing basketball game with players, “none of which talk to the police.”
“We need people to come forward,” he stressed.
Authorities otherwise revealed little new information. Asked whether the shooting was captured by security cameras or other video, Dominguez said he couldn’t discuss the matter.
Gerald McDonald, a survivor engagement specialist with the Gun Violence Prevention Office, and OGVP outreach coordinator Bruce Flamon told the Source that their office can always use more volunteers and people to assist with their mentorship programs.
Later Monday, Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach addressed the shooting and called on “parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, faith leaders and neighbors” to “remain present in the lives of our young people.”
“We must listen to them, guide them, and step in when we see conflict developing,” he said. Our children need safe places to gather. They need trusted adults to turn to. They need to know that their lives matter, and that violence is never the answer to disagreement or disrespect.”
Roach also referenced two other shootings that occurred in the past two days. On Sunday, a 16-year-old male was riding a motorbike near the Omar Brown Fire Station on St. Thomas. According to Roach, the teenager was shot multiple times before two bystanders took him to Schneider Hospital. On Monday, another person was taken to Luis Hospital after being shot in the arm near the Walter I. M. Hodge housing community.
“Please remember that remaining silent only makes it harder to hold accountable the person or persons responsible for these heinous acts and to see justice done,” Roach said.
When asked to describe Government House’s position on an overhaul of the territory’s gun laws recently approved by the 36th Legislature, Roach said that he and Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. have to review the legislation before signing it into law. He encouraged anyone with concerns about the bill to contact the Governor’s Office and said the Executive Branch has 10 days to send it back to the Legislature.
“Because I think we ought to respond, and to be aware and concerned about the various perspectives,” he said. “Because any of these measures is an opportunity to deal with the issue of gun violence and gun possession in our community, and there’s a balance about those persons who think we want to address persons who are not legally authorized to have weapons versus those persons who are licensed and who have concerns that additional restrictions inhibit their ability to protect either their home or commercial establishments or the members of their family.”
Start by checking with all the registered gun owners – it’s sure to be one of them, right? I mean, it’s against the law for anyone else to have a firearm under the current law, right? We do enforce that law, right, so no one has unregistered firearms, right? What? People who are committing the crimes don’t have thei firearms registered? Then, what is the point of having law abiding citizens register their firearms, if they’re not the ones committing the crimes?