A man was killed and two more were injured in a shooting that took place Wednesday evening in Frederiksted, according to VIPD Public Information Officer Melody Rames.
The incident took place on Hospital Street, near the Post Office in Frederiksted, Rames said. A flurry of gunshots was heard about 6:15 p.m., followed almost immediately by sirens descending on the scene.
"Police arrived on the scene within seconds of the shots being fired," Rames said. Upon arriving they found a 32-year old man dead from at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. His name is being withheld pending notification of family.
It was the eighth homicide in the U.S. Virgin Islands since the start of the year, the fourth on St. Croix.
Two other men appeared to have been injured in the event. One was taken by ambulance to Juan F. Luis Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot injury. The second walked into the emergency room after being driven to the hospital in a private vehicle. He also was treated for a gunshot injury that Rames described as "not life threatening."
Rames added that other suspects fled the scene—which Rames called "a known drug area"—possibly in a vehicle.
Rames would not speculate on the motive or details. She said the police are asking for the community’s help. Anyone with any information can call detectives at the Major Crime Bureau 712-6075, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 712-6077, emergency 911, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
