A shootout at 11:50 a.m. Monday has left two people dead; a 14-year-old female tourist and a local male attending a funeral at the graveyard adjacent to Coki Point beach.

Three persons of interest are being questioned but have not been arrested, according to Police Commissioner Novelle Francis.

Police and other first responders converged on the area after a V.I. Police Department officer assigned to patrol the Coki Point area heard reports of shots being fired near Coki beach.

Upon reaching the area, police conducted a search on foot, which is how the persons in custody were apprehended, Francis said.

The beach was evacuated and the road closed to traffic for a couple of hours as police continued their investigation.

Several large groups of tourists were milling about the area trying to get taxis two hours later as traffic continued to clog the narrow roadway leading to Coki point.

The Source is continuing to follow this story. Further details will be provided as they become available.

No names have been released as of publication time.