Jan. 24, 2009 — One man was killed and five wounded Friday in an apparent shoot-out in Estate Grove Place on St. Croix.
George Ronald Simpson, 19, of Estate Strawberry, died Friday evening from gunshots to the face and left side. George was found fatally wounded on the ground in La Reine Village Homes in Grove Place.
Adrian Benjamin, 24, of Mutual Homes Housing Community in Grove Place has been arrested and charged with murder in the first degree and reckless endangerment.
Police responded to a call of shots fired in Mutual Homes at about 9:30 p.m. Friday. Minutes later another call reported more gunfire at La Reine Village Homes. Five victims were transported by private vehicles to Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital.
The male victims received non-life threatening injuries: A 13-year-old was shot in the left leg; a 21-year-old was shot in his upper left thigh; a 23-year-old was shot in his hip; another 23-year-old was shot in the right upper leg; and a 26-year-old was shot in his left leg.
According to Acting Police Chief Oakland Benta, the community was very cooperative with police and provided descriptions of the suspects and a possible motive for the shootings.
"It was a dispute over a very simple matter that unfortunately was resolved with gun violence," Benta said.
Benta said more arrests may be made in this case. Anyone with additional information on the shooting can call Benta at 778-2211, police emergency 911 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222- TIPS. You can also visit www.crimestoppersusvi.org and submit an anonymous tip online.
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