Otis James, a 44-year-old resident of Bergs Home, was shot to death Tuesday morning while walking in Estate Altona in the vicinity of Western Cemetery 2 and 3, according to the Virgin Islands Police Department.

It was the 15th homicide on St. Thomas since the beginning of the year, the 34th in the territory.

Major Crimes detectives on St. Thomas are investigating the crime, which occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m.

According to the police report, 911 operators dispatched officers to a call of shots fired and a man down in the area. Officers arrived on the scene and found James' body lying on the road with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel pronounced James dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed that James was walking westward near the cemetery when several individuals fired shots at him, striking him about the body. Witnesses told investigators they saw at least two men running from the area.

Anyone with any information on the crime is urged to call detectives at 714-9202 or 714-9207, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.