Border Patrol Boat Runs Down, Kills Man in a Dinghy

USVI Authorities Refuse To Say ‘Rocker Shawn’s’ Name. Fan Tributes Pour Out Instead

Peter Swanson May 7

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Shawn Leass was run down and killed by a Customs & Border Patrol boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the only reason we know the victim’s name is because of tributes to him on Facebook and at local pubs where he performed Rock & Roll favorites.

According to the St. Thomas Source news outlet, Leass had come to the USVI about 25 years ago, initially living aboard his Erickson 36 Freya. He was killed while piloting his dinghy after having left St. Thomas Carnival on its last night. The accident happened at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.

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CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating, according to CBP spokesman Jeffrey H. Quinones. This was the official statement:

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Coastal Interceptor Vessel was involved in an accident with a small dinghy near Hulover Cut, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, during a border security patrol. The sole occupant of the dinghy was transported to a hospital but passed away.

Quinones would not go beyond that when asked about several witness reports that the 41-foot patrol boat was traveling at a high rate of speed and without lights. And why not at least announce the name of the man whose life was lost?

“That is a matter under the responsibility of the local police,” Quinones said. According to The Source, local police have notified Leass’s sister in Ohio, but have not yet publicly identified Leass as the victim, let alone say anything about the man he was.

Leass, as it happens, was well liked in the USVI cruising community and by those who enjoyed his performances at local music venues.

“Shawn was an experienced dinghy captain. Also, he was good about having lights on his dinghy. He also didn’t drink alcohol. I lost a good friend and neighbor for many years. I hope there’s a full investigation,” Jeff Birchenough wrote on Facebook.

Shannon Sharpe was another person who posted a tribute to Leass:

There are some people that you meet in life’s journey that kinda shines a light on ya. To me, Shawn was one of those guys. He was always so happy to see me. Smiles and hugs. And he would always ask me.. “Will you play with me tonight?” There was no way on earth I would ever tell him no.

For those of us that knew him, we should ALWAYS remember is dedication and passion for his music that he played. I enjoyed playing with him because of this…. When Shawn would get up on the stage, he would go to a different place. He played with a passion that we should all strive to have. Whether there was one person in front of him or many more, he always played like he was playing in front of 30,000 people. Nothing else in the world mattered.

There was also anger at what some saw as an abuse of authority. As Erin Taylor wrote:

This is heartbreaking. These patrol boats need to SLOW down! This is where we live. We use Gregerie channel to get to and from our homes! They are not in pursuit of anyone. They have no business driving this fast in our local waters. It is reckless and irresponsible, especially of people wearing a badge that we should be able to trust and feel safe around. I witness them going past my house all the time, 60-70 mph for no reason at all. This life did not need to be lost. He was a sweet man that bothered nobody. I’m heartbroken and appalled at this news.