Police say 26-year-old St. Thomas resident Kevin James was slain at about 4:15 a.m. Saturday morning, gunned down in a vehicle while driving near the basketball court in Hospital Ground.
James was the second man killed this year near the court, which is a well known hangout for neighborhood gangs.
According to the VIPD, James and unidentified others were riding in the car after leaving the Jaguars nightclub when “someone opened fire on the vehicle they were in while it was southeast of the basketball court.”
Before police arrived, James was rushed in a private vehicle to Schneider Medical Center where he later died.
James’ death marks the ninth murder on St. Thomas and the 18th in the U.S. Virgin Islands this year. The territory has suffered an average of two murders a week since the year began.
Police have said most of the violence is committed in the same areas, often in a senseless tit-for-tat retaliation over turf, and almost always by young men known in their communities and known for their crimes.
Families, neighbors and communities could turn them in and bring safety to their neighborhoods, police say.
To that end, the VIPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in this or any other homicide.
St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island District Police Chief Rodney F. Querrard Sr. asks anyone with information relative to this homicide to call Major Crime Detective Lionel Bess on his cell at 642-8449, his office at 715-5545 or 715-5546. Residents can also call the chief’s office at 715-5548 or the anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
