A St. Croix man was shot and killed on Wednesday, the V.I. Police Department reported — the second fatal shooting of the day on the island.
Jose Berrios, 47, was found by the VIPD with multiple gunshot wounds in the staircase of building 88 in Harvey Housing Community around 7:45 p.m., according to a report announcing the homicide. When EMS arrived, Berrios had already succumbed to his injuries, it said.
According to a preliminary investigation, Berrios was leaving a family member’s apartment when an individual ambushed him, discharging multiple bullets at the victim using a high-powered rifle.
Earlier in the day, Jorge Luis Saldana, 24, was shot multiple times while at work mowing grass around 9:40 a.m. in Bethlehem Village on St. Croix. Police found Saldana lying on the ground in front of his apartment. The gunman had already fled the area by the time police arrived.
Wednesday’s homicide brings St. Croix’s homicide toll to 18 so far in 2022 and the territory’s total to 24, according to the Source Homicide List.*
This homicide is an ongoing investigation. CIB detectives are asking anyone with information to call 911, the CIB Tip-Line at 340-778-4850, or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
