Home Invasions And Random Shooting Reported On St. Croix

ST. CROIX — VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson last Friday and this past Monday issued press releases relating to a random shooting that occurred here, as well as multiple home invasions on the same island.

According to Mr. Jackson, on Sunday, January 3, at 3:43 a.m., officers were dispatched by the 911 emergency call center to the Walter I.M. Hodge Housing Community to investigate the report of a gunshot victim.

Responding officers met with the victim, a 25-year-old male, a resident of the selfsame housing community, who stated that he was walking to his residence when the sound of gunfire rang out and he realized that he had been shot. He further stated that he saw no one in the immediate vicinity at the time of the incident, and that he had no idea as to who may have discharged the gunfire.

The victim sustained a non-life threatening wound to his calf and was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center for treatment.

Mr. Jackson in a separate press release stated that on Friday, January 1, at 5:00 a.m., a 46-year-old male resident of Estate Richmond was present at the Ancilmo Marshall Command located in Bassin Triangle to report an incident that had occurred at his home.

According to the victim, he was at his residence in Estate Richmond entertaining two female acquaintances, when a man suddenly broke into the home, wielding a hammer. The man accused the victim of cheating with his girlfriend, one of the two female acquaintances and attacked the victim with the hammer.

The victim sustained a contusion and minor bruises, but declined medical attention.

And at roughly 6:05 a.m. also on January 1, officers responded to a call of a break-in that occurred at the Louis E. Brown Villas.

Responding officers met with the complainant who stated that the family had secured their home at 11:00 p.m. the night prior and retired for the evening. She continued by stating that she was awoken by her alarm at 5:30 a.m. and heard her teenage daughter scream out.

According to the complainant, she proceeded to the teenager’s room, and saw an unknown male as he exited the apartment’s front door. The teenage daughter stated that she felt someone touching her hand and pulling the sheet that was draped over her body, but was otherwise unharmed by the intruder.

An inspection of the premises revealed that entry had been made into the second floor dwelling by the suspect having apparently shimmied up a PVC pipe, removed the window screen and entered the apartment. No items had been removed from the dwelling and no one was hurt during the incident.

Anyone with information concerning these incidents may phone 911 or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.