US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan has revealed that Executive Security Officer Eustace Charles was ambushed by several gunmen as he left his home for work Sunday morning, providing new details about the fatal attack that has shaken the territory.

Charles, 51, was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside his vehicle after officers responded to reports of shots fired in the Williams Delight area of St Croix.

His death marked the 27th homicide recorded in the US Virgin Islands this year.

In an address, Bryan said Charles, who was assigned to the security detail of Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, was on his way to work when his vehicle was blocked by multiple assailants.

“As Officer Charles was leaving his home to proceed to his work, which is to protect the lieutenant governor, his car was blocked and he was ambushed by several individuals who opened fire on him,” Bryan said.

Bryan said that investigators moved quickly after the shooting, using the Virgin Islands Police Department’s camera system to identify the vehicles believed to have been used by the suspects.

“Using our camera system, our Virgin Islands Police Department were able to quickly identify what vehicles these perpetrators were using, and then were able to track them across the island,” he said.

He added that several people have been taken into custody as persons of interest, firearms have been recovered and multiple search warrants have been executed as the investigation continues.

The probe is being led by the Virgin Islands Police Department with support from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the US Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.

Bryan said authorities intend to pursue those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

“Nothing less than the death penalty is acceptable in this case,” he said.

The governor urged residents to help investigators by reporting information that could assist the case, saying violent offenders cannot continue to rely on the community’s silence.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility, and it requires law enforcement, the government, families, churches, schools, businesses and residents,” Bryan said. “The police simply can’t do it alone.”

Paying tribute to the slain officer, Bryan described Charles as a dedicated public servant whose death had deeply affected the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the wider law enforcement community.

“We will remember Officer Charles for his professionalism, his kindness, his commitment to service, his great big smile, and the pride he took in protecting all of us,” he said.