The V.I. Police Department hopes to be able to confirm Monday the identity of one of two men killed Friday morning in a shooting in the Smith Bay area, but they have yet to determine anyone who might have known the second victim.
At about 2:15 a.m. Friday police received a report of shots fired in Smith Bay in the vicinity of Lake’s Chicken Fry restaurant. Callers also informed 911 that there were two males lying on the ground.
Responding officers arrived in the area of Value Foods convenience store and observed a male who appeared to have suffered at least one gunshot, lying on the steps just outside the business. About 15 feet away, outside of the Lake’s Chicken Fry restaurant, officers discovered a second male who also appeared to have been a victim of gunshots. Both men appeared to be unresponsive.
EMT’s arrived on the scene and pronounced both male victims deceased at the scene.
According to VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte, both victims are believed to from Dominica. One has been tentatively identified, and his uncle is flying into St Thomas Monday to identify him, at which point his name will be released. Police have found no one who knows or could identify the second victim.
Dratte said the tentatively identified victim was born Oct. 13, 1958, making him 59 years old at the time of his death.
The second victim is believed to have been born July 25, 1968, Dratte said, but police have been unable to find anyone who can confirm his identity.
Police urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact the VIPD at 340-774-2211 or the Major Crimes Unit at 340-714-5554 or 340-714-5617, or contact the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.