ST. THOMAS — The V.I. Police Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a 57-year-old man whose body was discovered under a vehicle in the Hospital Ground area early Tuesday morning, authorities said, a case that raises the U.S. Virgin Islands' 2026 homicide total to 32.
Sequence of events and police response
According to the territory's police, the incident followed a gun-detection alert the night before. The department's gun detection system reportedly notified the 911 Emergency Call Centre of multiple gunshots in the Hospital Ground neighbourhood at about 9:23 p.m. Monday.
Officers responded and searched the vicinity but did not locate a victim or evidence at that time. Roughly 12 hours later, at about 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, a member of the public contacted emergency services to report an unresponsive man lying beneath a vehicle. Responding officers found the man and observed what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical technicians assessed the scene and pronounced the man dead.
The deceased has been identified by next of kin as Pernell Slaven Jr., aged 57. The circumstances of the killing remain under investigation, and detectives are working to determine what led to the shooting, the V.I. Police Department said.
“The incident is under active investigation,” the department said in a written account of events, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Rising homicide figures
Slaven’s death is the 14th homicide recorded on St. Thomas in 2026. St. Croix has recorded 18 homicides so far this year, bringing the territory-wide total to 32. Police have reiterated appeals for public assistance as detectives seek leads.
| Island | 2026 Homicides |
|---|---|
| St. Thomas | 14 |
| St. Croix | 18 |
| Total (U.S. Virgin Islands) | 32 |
How to provide information
The V.I. Police Department has provided several ways for members of the public to submit information:
- VIPD Investigation Bureau: 340-774-2211, extensions 5555 or 5556
- Alternate police contact: 340-714-9830
- Crime Stoppers V.I.: 800-222-8477
- Chief’s Office: 340-715-5548
- Emergency: 911
The police statement did not provide additional details about motives, suspects or evidence recovered. Investigators did note the initial gun-detection alert, the subsequent search that night and the later discovery of the victim as key elements in the timeline.
For residents who share the name St. Thomas but live in Ontario, the incident serves as a reminder of the different and sometimes overlapping concerns that come with place namesakes. The reporting agency has emphasised the ongoing nature of the investigation and the need for community assistance to help establish what occurred.
Local authorities in the territory have asked anyone who may have seen activity in the Hospital Ground area late Monday or early Tuesday, or who may have dash-cam or video footage, to contact the numbers provided.
This is a developing story and further details will be reported as they are released by the V.I. Police Department.
