Police on St. Croix are investigating two nonfatal shootings that occurred over the weekend.
In one instance a 17-year-old was shot and the suspect was arrested. The second shooting involved a vehicle that overturned after being fired upon.
The 17-year-old minor told police that minutes before noon Saturday he and a friend were in a bushy area near his home looking for small palm trees when he heard someone firing shots. He said he and his friend ran home, and he realized he was shot.
Police investigation led them to a neighbor, later identified as 54-year-old Gregory Ritter of Estate Richmond. Ritter told police he was recently robbed and when he saw two people on his property he discharged several shots at them. Further investigation revealed several marijuana plants in a fenced area on the Ritter property. Ritter was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment.
His bail was set at $10,000 and he was remanded to the Golden Grove Correctional Facility pending further court action.
The minor was shot in his right flank and the lower right side of his stomach. He was treated at the Juan F. Luis Memorial Hospital.
At about 5 a.m. Sunday police were dispatched to a single-car accident by the Estate Sion Farm stoplight. There police found an overturned vehicle.
The driver told officers he was returning home from a night club when an unknown vehicle sped up beside him and began firing shots at him. When he attempted to turn into Estate Sion Farm his vehicle overturned.
The victim was wounded by gunfire in his upper right back and his right forearm. He was treated at the hospital.
Police are urging anyone who has information on either of these incidents or any other criminal acts to call detectives at 712-6077, 712-6037 or call the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
