A St. Thomas man is dead and another is gravely wounded after two shooting incidents in the space of 90 minutes Wednesday night. The incidents brought to four the number of street shootings on St. Thomas in three days.
Police were called to the Savan area near the Red Ball Grocery after residents said they heard a volley of shots. It was the second drive-by shooting of the day.
Seriously wounded in the attack was Jason Paul, 20, of Anna's Fancy. Hospital sources said he suffered bullet wounds to the left side of the chest, left shoulder, forearm and his right ear. He also suffered a laceration to the head after one of the bullets grazed his head. As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, he was listed in serious and guarded condition in the Intensive Care Unit at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
Less than 30 minutes later, police responded to a shooting in the Contant area on the roadway that leads west to east behind Magic Car Wash.
According to police sources, the victim, Eustace Cerio, 21, and his girlfriend were walking on the road just east of the car wash when about five shots rang out, several striking Cerio in the leg and upper torso. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Schneider Hospital.
Police officials have not commented publicly on the shootings, nor have they provided any information on whether a motive has been established. Authorities are also tight-lipped on whether the shootings are related.
Earlier Wednesday, two as-yet unidentified persons were shot near the Berry fish market in Hospital Ground outside Lionel Roberts Stadium. In that drive-by shooting, the suspects made their getaway in a red compact car.
On Monday, Ellis Blyden Jr. of Lindbergh Bay was shot to death in a drive-by shooting on the Donoe Bypass road after he apparently stopped to use a pay telephone outside the Hometown Convenience Store. Blyden died at the scene of a head wound.
Late Wednesday night, Gov. Charles Turnbull went on the radio to denounce the incidents of violent crime and seek to reassure the community that all possible steps are being taken to maintain public safety.
"The police commissioner and territorial chief of police have assured me that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible for these despicable deeds to justice," Turnbull said. "These drive-by shootings constitute an affront to the law-abiding community."
The governor promised that the violent crimes will not be tolerated in the Virgin Islands "which is a civilized society."
Turnbull and police officials urged anyone with information about any of the shootings to contact the Investigations Bureau at 774-4050 or 774-2196, or just call 911.
