Police examine weapon found in Khalid Blyden's car on Friday night. By. LEAKED VIDEO
ST. THOMAS — The V.I.P.D. has launched an internal investigation into the leaking of a video of an incident still under investigation. The incident involved the son of Senator Marvin Blyden who was arrested Friday on possession of an unlicensed firearm and drug charges, according to a police source.
The leaked video, which has been making the rounds on WhatsApp, shows a police officer examining the firearm while another person record. It was not clear who was recording, but it would most likely be another law enforcement officer as civilians are not allowed on crime scenes while police are investigating, far less recording an officer examining a firearm. There was talking heard in the video but the voices were deliberately skewed with software that allows for such manipulation.
"The Virgin Islands Police Department is aware of video footage involving an arrest incident which has been circulating on social media. An internal investigation into the videotaping and its release has been initiated. A V.I.P.D. officer may have released the video in violation of department policy. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the public will be notified of the result," said the V.I.P.D. in a release issued Sunday.
Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor condemned the release of the video and said the department is working on building the community’s trust. “To build trust requires both transparency and accountability,” he said.
Senator Blyden's son, Khalid Blyden, 26, was arrested Friday at around 8:06 p.m. and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, according to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima
Mr. Derima said pursuant to a traffic investigation involving a vehicle operated by Khalid, officers discovered a backpack with marijuana and a bag that contained an assault rifle.
Khalid attempted to flee the area on foot but was quickly apprehended by officers and detained, Mr. Derima said.
Unable to post bail of $150,000, Khalid was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing.
