The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has posted on Facebook seeking information about Trinidadian John Dawn, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a recent murder in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has issued a public appeal for help in finding John Dawn, a Trinidadian man deemed highly dangerous. He is wanted for questioning regarding a recent murder on Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
In a press release dated May 15, posted on the RVIPF's official Facebook page, authorities revealed that Dawn is known by several aliases, including "Small Brent," "Brent Dain Danglade," "John Emmanuel," and "Brent Miller." He has been on the wanted list since May.
The RVIPF reports that preliminary investigations indicate Dawn may still possess identification documents under one of his previous names.
In February 2005, Dawn, using the alias Brent Danglade, was a key witness for the prosecution in a conspiracy-to-murder case against the late Yasin Abu Bakr, the then leader of Jamaat al Muslimeen.
During cross-examination, he acknowledged his involvement in various criminal activities, including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and robbery, although he denied having personally killed anyone. He did admit to participating in the murder of a man on Bournes Road in St. James.
Dawn was affiliated with Jamaat al Muslimeen from 2001 to 2003. At the time of the trial, he stated that he had renounced Islam and was practicing Catholicism.
In October 2010, the murder charges against both Yasin Abu Bakr and John Dawn, who was known as Brent Miller, were dropped. These charges were related to the abduction and murder of Israel Sammy, a 22-year-old mechanic from Boissiere Village, Maraval, which occurred on May 20, 1998.
The ruling indicated that Dawn had admitted to being involved in a joint plan to murder Sammy, but evidence also pointed to Bakr's involvement. However, Roger Gaspard, the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed the Port of Spain Eighth Magistrate's Court that the state would not move forward with the case due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Gaspard determined that “the likelihood of a guilty verdict was minimal or nonexistent” and submitted a formal notice to discontinue the proceedings. The RVIPF has labeled Dawn as a significant threat to public safety, describing him as armed and extremely dangerous, with known links to kidnapping, extortion, and multiple homicides in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the Caribbean.
The public is strongly urged not to approach, confront, or attempt to assist Dawn under any circumstances. Assisting a fugitive is a serious crime, and anyone found to be harboring, facilitating, or aiding Dawn will "face the full extent of the law."
To reduce risk, residents are advised to lock and secure their homes, vehicles, and boats, as police suspect that Dawn may attempt to access or use private property.
The RVIPF is collaborating closely with regional and international law enforcement agencies and is actively pursuing all investigative leads to ensure his prompt capture.
