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Friday, March 29, 2024
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MAN FATALLY SHOT IN WATERGUT AREA

Dion Benjamin became the third homicide victim on St. Croix and the ninth in the territory Wednesday night after being shot repeatedly near Christiansted.
Benjamin, whose age was not immediately available, was shot three of four times by an unknown assailant around 8 p.m. Wednesday, according to St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis.
Francis said officers responded initially to reports of shots fired in the Watergut area near downtown Christiansted. When they arrived, they found Benjamin in a Mazda parked on the beach across from the Red Brick housing community. "Emergency workers found no vital signs and called in the medical examiner," Francis said Thursday morning.
Other than what Francis said was a vehicle – possibly a pickup truck – seen speeding away from the area, police have few clues in the murder.
"We are appealing to the community and residents in the area that may have seen what led to the shooting to contact police," he said. Anyone with information should call 778-2211, ext. 4531 or the emergency number 911.
St. Thomas has recorded six homicides so far in 2001 and St. John has none. All nine in the territory remain unsolved.

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