Near the basketball courts of Hospital Ground, a corner of St. Thomas that produces casualties on an almost weekly basis, two more men were shot multiple times Wednesday in part of an escalating cycle of violence there that police and neighbors have tried to get a handle on—and so far failed.
One man, 38, was shot in the femur and arm. He was treated at Schneider Regional Medical Center and later released, according to hospital spokesman Sam Topp.
The other man, 36, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his back and shoulder and remains at Schneider in stable condition, Topp said late Thursday.
Police said the shooting took place at about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the section of Hospital Ground known as “Jah Yard,” where young men can be seen hanging out near a dumpster and garbage at all hours of any given day.
Police said the victims were loitering in “Jah Yard” when they were shot by “unknown persons.”
When police arrived, witnesses told them that the two victims had fled in a car, according to a VIPD statement. While searching for the victims, another call led police to Bunker Hill, where the victims had crashed into another vehicle and a utility pole. They were taken by ambulance to the hospital.
Police later confiscated a handgun at the scene in “Jah Yard” and a semi-automatic weapon at the scene of the accident on Bunker Hill.
Police, Public Works and WAPA crews, as well as Fire Services and St. Thomas Rescue personnel, recently targeted “Jah Yard” for cleanup to try to cut down on loitering and the accompanying violence that plagues the area.
Last week, three St. Thomas men were arrested for killing 26-year-old Kevin James near the basketball court on the morning of March 6. Local residents turned them in.
On Feb. 15, 31-year-old Jibaro Nibbs was also killed there, attacked while sitting in the front seat of his car in broad daylight.
When Nibbs was killed in front of many bystanders, St. Thomas Police Chief Rodney Querrard expressed the VIPD’s frustration at the violence.
“We are human beings!” he said. “This is not supposed to be an accepted practice!”
This case is being followed up by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone having any information on this or any other crime is urged to call the detectives at 715-5522, 714-9834 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.
