The V.I. Police Department asked community members for help during a Government House briefing Monday after multiple shootings on St. Croix.
St. Croix Chief of Police Uston Cornelius said law enforcement is seeking information about the killing of Malik Anthony Francis, 33, who was found dead in Castle Burke two weeks ago. Cornelius said that the shooting occurred around midday and urged those with information to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers USVI anonymously by calling 800-222-8477.
“When you utilize that number … the call is not taken here,” he stressed. “It’s taken off island. The information is vetted, sent back to us, and then we pass it to the necessary investigator. So again, we continue to ask you to work with us.”
According to statements from VIPD, a concerned citizen called 911 on Nov. 17 to report an unresponsive man, later identified as Francis, in Castle Burke. Emergency medical technicians arrived and pronounced him dead. Police said he was shot multiple times. Francis’s killing marked the 25th homicide this year, according to the Source’s homicide list.
The more recent shooting occurred shortly before midnight Thursday near the Pueblo Supermarket in Golden Rock. Police have said two men were injured and that officers found them in a vehicle at approximately 11:40 p.m. Both were taken by ambulance to Luis Hospital. According to police last week, one of the men had a non-life-threatening injury and the other was in critical, but stable, condition.
During Monday’s briefing, Cornelius also acknowledged that VIPD has identified a person of interest in its investigation into a spate of hit-and-run incidents and assaults on St. Croix. Police said last week that the car involved, a white Mercedes-Benz sedan, was located outside that person’s residence and impounded.
“Right now, we’re waiting for the final paperwork as it relates to getting the female that’s involved in this incident,” he said. “And once that is completed, we will then make contact with the community and everyone that had an incident relating to this white vehicle. One by one, we’ll be calling you so that we can get your side and make sure that everything matches up, and then everything will be linked to the case.”
