There is no truth to a rumor that seemed to arise from the Senate floor Thursday evening of a massive shooting incident and lockdown at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
The rumor appeared to start with some malicious text messages sent to Sen. Celestino White. White mentioned quietly to reporters he was receiving texts saying there had been a major incident and five persons had been shot.
Due to some of the particular individuals involved in a shooting earlier this week, one who is currently hospitalized at the facility, police have stepped up security and patrols in and around the hospital, a source close to law enforcement who is not authorized to speak for the department said.
Fear of an act of retaliation, common among the groups who are responsible for most of the gun violence in the territory, has prompted law enforcement to take extra precautions, the source said.
Dr. Kendall M. Griffith, executive director of the V.I. Cardiac Care Center, confirmed via telephone there was no unusual activity in the emergency room as of 7:15 p.m.