Feb. 25, 2007 — A 25-year-old man became the latest victim of gunfire in the territory Saturday night, and police are asking potential witnesses to come forward with information that could lead to his killer's arrest.
The victim was Larry Rodriguez, said Assistant Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis Jr. Sunday morning. Rodriguez was found about 11 p.m. Saturday inside a Ford Bronco, following a collision with a parked vehicle at the Mutual Homes housing community in Estate Grove Place.
The victim "appeared to have been shot outside the vehicle and entered, attempting to leave, and collided with a parked vehicle," Francis said. The shooting occurred in the vicinity of Building 32, he said, urging anyone with information to contact police.
Rodriguez's last known address was Estate New Works.
In a statement released Sunday night, Police spokeswoman Shawna Richards said that officers were dispatched to the housing community following reports to the 911 Center of shots being discharged.
"Officers arriving at the scene found the victim, a Hispanic male, motionless in his vehicle and not appearing to have any signs of life," Richards said.
Rodriguez sustained a gunshot wound to his left upper chest and succumbed to his injuries at 1 a.m. Sunday, she said.
The killing is the third on St. Croix since Jan. 7, when a 24-year-old man was stabbed in the neck during an unprovoked altercation with a band of teenagers. Arrested in connection with that killing were two young men age 15, as well as a 16-year-old.
The most recent homicide occurred Feb. 6 in another housing community. Calvin Nesbitt, 23, of Marley housing community, was gunned down about 3:30 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, Police said he had sustained multiple gunshot and stab wounds. So far Police have made no arrest in that case.
Anyone with information leading to an arrest in this weekend's killing, or any other still-unsolved homicides, should call the confidential Police hotline at 778-4950.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
