Police on St. Croix are investigating a homicide that apparently was related to a carjacking at about 8:27 p.m. Monday in Estate Constitution Hill.
A man and woman on the scene reported to police that an armed man had hijacked their white Ford Bronco on Constitution Hill Road. The man and woman were unharmed. An all-points bulletin was immediately issued on the hijacked vehicle.
At the scene, police discovered a silver Suzuki Vitara with several bullet holes. Inside the car was the body of 31-year-old Wayne Bruce of Lorraine Village Apartments. Emergency Medical Technicians on the scene could not detect any vital signs on the victim.
Investigators discovered a firearm in the Suzuki and confiscated it for processing, along with the vehicle.
The stolen Ford Bronco was later found abandoned in a dirt road in Estate Peters Rest.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Christopher Howell commended the patrol offices, forensic technicians and detectives who rapidly converged on the scene.
“It is widely known in law enforcement that the time immediately following any criminal incident is crucial to a successful outcome of the case,” Howell said. “The officers’ immediate response allowed them to recover valuable evidence that could have otherwise be lost or contaminated.”
It was the 12th homicide on St. Croix since Jan. 1, and the 21st overall in the territory.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 712-6077 or 712-6037, the Major Crime Bureau at 712-6075, or the anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
