July 7, 2008 — A retired St. Thomas police sergeant planning to rejoin the force died Monday evening after getting shot during a grocery store robbery.
Retired Sgt. Liston Gumbs was shopping in a Lindberg Bay grocery store about 3:15 p.m. Monday when he saw a male "talking to the cashier in an aggressive manner," according to a V.I. Police Department news release. When Gumbs approached he realized the male had a gun and was attempting to rob the store, police say. A struggle resulted in Gumbs getting shot in the left side of his stomach. The suspect fired another shot as he fled toward the area of the Kirwin Terrace housing community, police say.
The female cashier later told police the suspect pointed a gun in her face and demanded money. When she did not comply, the suspect reached into the cash drawer and removed less than $300. The suspect is described as a slim black male wearing a black hat pulled low over his eyes and a green and black bandanna covering the rest of his face. He also wore black gloves, a black long-sleeved shirt and long black pants.
Gumbs died shortly after 7 p.m. at the Roy L. Schneider Regional Hospital and Medical Center.
The retired sergeant was a "good friend and will be missed," said Police Commissioner James McCall, who is in the States recovering from surgery. The retired officer was about to come back to the police department under the retired police officer employment program, the commissioner said.
"He was a forensic expert," McCall said. "He was coming back to teach the younger officers everything he knew about forensic science."
Acting Police Commissioner Novelle Francis Jr. expressed condolences on behalf of the entire police department.
"Another brother has died as a result of senseless violence," Francis said. He authorized a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in the shooting death.
Francis urged community members to call the police with any information they may have on this shooting. To contact police, call the Investigation Bureau at 340-715-5554, the chief's office at 340-715-5548, or 911.
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