The owner of the Savan Grocery on General Gade was shot in the left shoulder Tuesday morning during an incident at the store, according to the V.I. Police Department.
Police were notified of the nonfatal shooting by 911 dispatchers about 9:45 a.m.
The victim, who was not identified by police in conformance with a department policy to not release the names of nonfatal victims, told police he was in the store when a man came in, picked up a bottle of soda and put it on the counter.
He said that when the business owner told the male the price of the soda, the individual replied that he did not have any money. The victim tried to take the soda but the suspect also grabbed it and began throwing other items off the counter and then fled the store.
The owner said he ran after the suspect who then turned and fired a small black gun at him, hitting him in his left shoulder.
The victim was taken by ambulance to the Schneider Regional Medical Center, treated and released. He described the suspect as being a slim black male, between the ages of 18 and 25, with short hair.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Bureau are following up on the case and urged anyone with any information to call detectives at 1-340-714-9834, the emergency 911 call center, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.
