St. Thomas Independence Day Holiday Dispute Escales to Gunfire and Attempted Murder Charges

A terrifying holiday neighborhood dispute on St. Thomas shattered the late-night peace of Independence Day, sending a local resident fleeing for his life into his home as his own uncle allegedly unleashed a barrage of gunfire behind him

The dramatic confrontation, which was entirely captured on cellular surveillance footage, ended with the swift arrest of a local man now facing a mountain of felony charges, including attempted murder, after the holiday altercation spilled out into a densely populated residential community.

The violent episode unfolded on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at approximately 10:24 p.m., when the territory’s ShotSpotter automated gunfire detection system flagged multiple rounds being discharged near 3600 Contant Street. Almost simultaneously, a frantic 911 call was placed to emergency dispatchers by local resident, who reported that his uncle, Kerwin Williams, was actively shooting at him outside a residential complex.

When responding Virgin Islands Police Department officers arrived at the Contant neighborhood, they made contact with a visibly shaken nephew. The victim explained to investigators that he had been fast asleep inside his residence when his ten-year-old son suddenly woke him up with urgent news that his vehicle’s car alarm was blaring outside.