ST. CROIX — A few hours following the homicide death of Jermaine “Bird” Williams around 3:43 p.m. this afternoon, a war ignited at the Red Brick Apartments at about 6:25 p.m. as multiple men drove through the housing community with machine guns, shooting at targets while the targets shot back. Senator Novelle Francis, a former police chief and commissioner of the VIPD, told The Consortium that hundreds of shots were fired during the incident.
“The individuals drove through here gangster style, hanging out of their vehicle and just firing shots,” Francis told The Consortium. At least three individuals were taken to the hospital, but that number could increase as the situation is still unfolding. Three ambulances had left the scene and another was on its way.
Francis also said that he spoke to Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, Sr., and asked that the pre-carnival Jump Up planned for tomorrow be canceled. The confirmation of cancellation came moments later through a press release issued by VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson.
Residents of Red Brick Apartments and nearby neighborhoods could be heard talking about what had happened. One man yelled, “the east and west war has started, and it’s not going to end until they get what they want.” Others spoke of the multiple rounds of fire coming from the machine guns, with some estimating the gunfight lasting several minutes.
Officers — dozens of them — could be seen in the area searching for evidence and marking spots. They worked frantically to collect as much information as they could, trying to piece the puzzle.
Developing story…
Feature Image: Scenes of the Red Brick Apartments shootout.
Image Credit: VI Consortium.
Tags: red brick, shooting christiansted, st croix
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