Glock 17 with extended magazine seized in Road Town, man charged

A 29-year-old man from Scatliffe Alley has been charged with illegal firearm possession after police recovered a Glock 17 and 21 rounds of ammunition in Road Town.

Road Town arrest marks eighth illegal firearm seizure of 2026

A 29-year-old resident of Scatliffe Alley, Road Town, has been charged with firearms offences after the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) recovered a loaded handgun during a rapid response to reports of suspected gunfire last week, BVI News reports.

Officers who were already in the vicinity responded on Friday, May 29, after receiving reports of gunshots in the Road Town area. During the operation, they observed a man they considered suspicious, detained him, and conducted a search.

The search yielded a Glock 17 handgun fitted with an extended magazine loaded with 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The firearm was seized and the suspect taken into custody.

Charged is Shakhoy Penn of Scatliffe Alley. He faces counts of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Explosives. Penn remains in custody pending an appearance before the Magistrate's Court, according to a police press release issued on June 4.

The RVIPF confirmed the seizure is the eighth illegal firearm recovered in the territory so far in 2026. Officers recovered two firearms in January, two in March, one in April, and three in May. Some of those recoveries led to arrests and charges that were previously made public; others were the result of proactive policing operations in which no suspect was identified.

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool praised the officers involved and highlighted a particular concern about the nature of some of the weapons being recovered.

"Every firearm removed from circulation represents a potential act of violence prevented. It is particularly concerning that some of these weapons qualify as prohibited weapons because they were modified to operate as automatic firing," Vanterpool stated.

She also underscored the role of the public in the force's efforts. "The continued recovery of illegal weapons demonstrates the vigilance of our officers and our unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe. We encourage members of the public to continue sharing information with the police, as community support remains vital in our efforts to combat gun-related crime," she added.

The RVIPF has urged anyone with information about illegal firearms or other criminal activity to contact its Intelligence Unit or Crime Stoppers.

Source: BVI News