In 2021, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. launched a partnership with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) to tackle the rising gun violence in the Virgin Islands through intervention programs and law enforcement training. Two years later, as the NNSC contract has expired, the fight to curb gun violence continues, now shaped by the lessons from this partnership and insights gained from national models. Despite these efforts, the toll of gun violence remains painfully evident.
This past weekend, two men were tragically gunned down, leaving their communities devastated. Walton “Selah” Macedon, 67, was found unresponsive on Sunday morning in St. Croix’s Golden Rock area. Despite efforts to save him, Macedon succumbed to his injuries, marking St. Croix’s 11th homicide of the year. Known for his warmth and presence, Macedon’s sudden death has shaken his community. A day earlier, Venquon N. Richardson, 26, was shot and killed at a gas station in Bovoni, St. Thomas. Found with multiple gunshot wounds, Richardson was pronounced dead at the scene—St. Thomas’ 17th homicide of the year. His loss has left residents frustrated and searching for answers as gun violence continues to claim lives across the territory.
In an effort to assess whether progress is being made in reducing gun violence, the Source reached out to Anthony Emanuel, director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), who, fresh from a five-month fellowship at the University of Chicago Crime Lab, discussed the strategies he’s working to implement in the territory, despite his small team of four or five staff members and a budget of under $1 million.
When the OGVP was established, the Virgin Islands faced one of its highest homicide rates, with 64 killings recorded in 2020. While the homicide rate has since dropped by 50 percent, the recent deaths underscore the ongoing challenge of preventing violence. Emanuel noted two troubling trends: many of the guns used in violent crimes are “repeat offenders,” stolen during burglaries and resold multiple times. Adding to the danger, some criminals have been using chips to bypass the firing mechanisms on Glock semi-automatic weapons, turning them into fully automatic firearms. These modifications make the guns more lethal and valuable on the streets. Despite efforts like random searches at postal facilities, stopping the flow of illegal guns remains a significant hurdle.
At the heart of the OGVP’s efforts are outreach initiatives targeting the territory’s most vulnerable areas. Emanuel and his team have been holding meetings in housing communities, engaging nonprofits, and working directly with schools to promote safety. Last month, safety programs were launched in every St. Thomas school, emphasizing leadership, mentorship, and providing students with opportunities to break the cycle of violence. “We’re trying to give our kids more hope, more opportunities, and a sense of purpose,” Emanuel said, highlighting the holistic approach to gun violence prevention.
National Models and Local Adaptation
Emanuel said his fellowship at the University of Chicago Crime Lab gave him exposure to some of the most successful gun violence prevention programs in the country. In Oakland, he learned about the Black Panther Center, which provides temporary housing, counseling, and job training for single parents and formerly incarcerated individuals. Emanuel sees the potential for a similar program in the Virgin Islands, where housing insecurity and unemployment are linked to crime. In New York, he observed nonprofit-led community intervention programs, including “credible messenger” systems, where influential students and community members are trained to de-escalate conflicts and mentor others. Inspired by this model, the OGVP is working to implement a similar approach in local schools, encouraging students to break up fights instead of filming them.
Another key takeaway was the “Stop the Bleed” initiative, a community training program that teaches residents in high-crime areas to provide emergency medical assistance. Emanuel believes this could be life-saving in the Virgin Islands, where gunshot victims often die from blood loss before reaching the hospital. The OGVP is exploring funding options for triage kits and training programs, working with agencies like the Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC), which administers federal grants.
Cure Violence Global, an organization based in New York that has shifted how communities perceive and respond to violence, Emanuel added. Cure Violence brings together stakeholders—community members, law enforcement, and outreach workers—to intervene in high-risk situations, aiming to disrupt the cycle of violence before it escalates. The organization’s core strategy is to change the narrative around gun violence, making it clear that shootings are neither acceptable nor inevitable and pushing communities to view such incidents as preventable rather than the norm.
Emanuel is working to replicate this mindset shift in places like Candido Guadalupe Terrace community on St. Croix, where he said his team held community meetings after the July 2024 non-fatal shooting of a mother and daughter that focused on empowering residents with information about available resources and encouraging them to take charge of their lives. Emanuel stressed that combining these efforts with a consistent, visible presence is key to changing perceptions and making progress in dismantling the notion that gun violence is simply a fact of life in the territory.
Securing Federal Support
During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Emanuel was among a group meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss securing federal funding for youth programs aimed at curbing gun violence. He also met with officials at the U.S. Justice Department to emphasize the need for continued federal support. Emanuel stressed the importance of these collaborations, saying, “Ongoing federal partnerships are critical to strengthening our gun violence prevention strategies.”
On Sunday, the LEPC announced the awarding of $4.8 million in federal grants to support crime prevention, juvenile justice, and victim services throughout the territory. The funding will benefit law enforcement, the courts, and nonprofits, offering programs for at-risk youth and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. LEPC Director Moleto A. Smith Jr. said the grants come from U.S. Justice Department programs, including the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Despite the expiration of the NNSC contract, Emanuel has maintained regular contact with program managers, meeting every few weeks to exchange ideas and explore new strategies. The OGVP is also pursuing additional funding through DOJ Byrne Grants, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and private donations. As a priority, Emanuel said he remains committed to empowering local nonprofits by teaching them how to secure grants and long-term funding to continue their essential work.
