Police have identified the victims of Wednesday afternoon's drive-by shooting near Bryan's fish market in Hospital Ground as Philmore Joseph, 38, of Paul M. Pearson Gardens and George Bleu, 22, of Hospital Ground. Police said their wounds were not life-threatening.
Police Commissioner Franz Christian said Thursday morning that the police have reason to believe the shooting was in retaliation for the killing Monday of Ellis Blyden Jr. near the Hometown Convenience Store in Anna's Retreat.
Christian told WVWI/Radio One that the police investigation of these crimes is being hampered by the victims' unwillingness to provide them information about the identity of their assailants. He referred to it as a "code of silence."
Christian reiterated what Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a radio address late Wednesday night: that no stone would be left unturned in investigating the four drive-by shootings in three days on St. Thomas.
Police urged anyone with information to contact the Investigation Bureau at 774-4050 or 911.
For further information on the incidents, see the preceding story, "One killed, another wounded in street shootings."
