A 14-year-old boy is reportedly on life support in the St. Thomas hospital following a sudden outbreak of chaos moments after the official closing of the annual St. John festival village.
V.I. Police Capt. Adelbert Molyneaux said the youth was shot in the face a few feet from the entrance of the village at 12:07 a.m. Tuesday.
Two other individuals, described as brothers from St. Thomas, were stabbed seconds later as chaos spread and spectators ran in panic at the sound of gunfire.
A second 16-year-old boy also suffered a single gunshot wound to the shoulder. "He apparently walked into Jurgen Command and reported being shot," Capt. Molyneaux said.
Police did not identify any of the four shooting or stabbing victims.
Up until July 5, the last day of the annual Fourth of July Festival, the eight-day festival village had occurred with few reported disturbances.
According to records kept at Zone D Police Command, with the exception of three incidents – two beatings and the disarming of a man with a knife blade – there were no reports of trouble in or around any St. John festival events.
Gun violence is almost unknown on St. John. The last killing recorded by police was attributed to an incident of domestic violence in February 1997 and authorities say no firearms were involved.
The two festival shooting victims were both subject to the Virgin Islands curfew law, which imposes a 10 p.m. deadline for children under age 18 to be at home or be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
Police Commissioner Franz Christian said at the time of the latest incidents, the curfew laws were being enforced.
"As recent as (Tuesday) morning I had a meeting with the (VIPD Juvenile Division) supervisor, discussing the curfew law violations and I was informed the curfew law is being enforced," the commissioner said.
