July 22, 2005 — Police have little information regarding the homicide of Kemil Ventura, the 17-year-old male shot across the street from the One Stop Convenience Market in Altona on July 16.
Ventura, along with two companions, was in the area around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and was crossing the street to the convenience store when suspects started shooting.
"As they [Ventura and his companions] began running to cross the highway, Ventura got shot in the back, and one of the persons with him also got shot," VIPD Assistant Commissioner James McCall said. "The third individual was unharmed."
McCall added that the trio managed to make it across the street to the store after the shooting, where residents who heard the shots called the police.
Ventura was taken to Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas, where he died shortly after.
The other victim in the shooting, an unidentified 18-year-old male, is still in the hospital.
"We are asking anyone with information on the incident, anyone in the area who saw what happened, to please come forward," McCall said, adding that the VIPD has no idea why the shooting took place, who the suspects are, or from where the shots were fired.
This is the 21st homicide this year in the territory.
Persons with information are urged to call the VIPD Major Crimes Unit at 715-5534, the Hotline at 715-5546, or the Crime line at 777-8711.
