Family, friends, and members of the St. Croix community are grieving the profound and tragic loss of Wahili James, 31, and Samuel Rivera, 34, whose lives were senselessly cut short during a shooting incident in Peter’s Rest on June 7, 2026.
According to the Virgin Islands Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 3:45 a.m. after the 911 Emergency Call Center received multiple calls regarding gunfire and possible victims. When authorities arrived at the scene, they discovered multiple individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Preliminary investigators determined that a verbal altercation had escalated into violence, resulting in gunfire. Tragically, Wahili James and Samuel Rivera sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the incident. Both men were later identified by family members.
The shooting also left two other victims injured, including a minor and a 30-year-old man. Authorities reported that both survived their injuries and were listed in stable condition.
The devastating incident has left two families grieving an unimaginable loss. What reportedly began as a disagreement ended in a tragedy that claimed two lives and forever altered the futures of countless loved ones. The pain of losing Wahili and Samuel is being felt throughout St. Croix as friends, relatives, neighbors, and community members come together in mourning.
While the investigation remains active, those who knew Wahili and Samuel are remembering them for the lives they lived rather than the violence that ended them. They were cherished family members, loyal friends, and valued members of their community whose lives touched many people. Their memories will live on through the stories shared by loved ones and the lasting impact they had on those around them.
As news of their deaths spread across the island, an outpouring of condolences and prayers followed. Many have expressed heartbreak over the loss of two men whose lives ended far too soon. Their passing serves as a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the lasting sorrow it leaves behind.
The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau continues to investigate the shooting and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Detectives are actively gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
During this difficult time, thoughts and prayers remain with the families of Wahili James and Samuel Rivera as they navigate a loss that words cannot adequately express. May they find comfort in cherished memories, strength in the support of their community, and peace in knowing their loved ones will never be forgotten.
May Wahili James and Samuel Rivera rest in eternal peace. Their memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved them
