Two suspects who reportedly crossed paths on the campus of Joseph A. Gomez Elementary school in Anna’s Retreat were involved in a shooting incident at the school at approximately 12:26 p.m. Tuesday according to a V.I. Police Department news release.
There were no injuries reported and all students were accounted for and safe, the police said.
According to the report, at the time of the incident 450 students were on campus attending summer programs run by VIPD and the V.I. Department of Education. The school was immediately placed on active-shooter lockdown during the incident.
After officers investigated the campus and felt it was safe, students were given permission to return to their classrooms at approximately 2:30 p.m. Parents were immediately notified and given the option to retrieve their children due to the nature of the incident.
Camp will resume as scheduled tomorrow, Weds., July 27.
“The lives of innocent children and members of our community are continuously placed in great danger,” read the police news release. “Gun violence is never the answer and together we must work together to hold these individuals accountable for their actions.”
The case is under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Police asked anyone with any information regarding the incident to contact the bureau at 340-774-2211 ext. 5579 and 5557. They can also contact 911, the office of the St. Thomas-St. John chief of police at 340-715-5548, the Police Commissioner’s office at 340-715-5506, or the anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.
