Drive-By Shooting Leads To Double Homicide Near Church In St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS — Two St. Thomas men lost their lives on Saturday night after a hail of bullets, coming from a moving vehicle, struck them about their bodies, leaving the victims dead — one on the scene and the other during emergency surgery, The Consortium has learned. The information was corroborated by V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte.

The double homicide comes amid restructuring efforts at the V.I.P.D., with Police Commissioner Delroy Richards dismissing former chiefs Arthur Hector, Sr. of St. Croix, and Darren Foy of St. Thomas. And it follows a nod of approval by Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter, who commended Mr. Richards for taking steps to disrupt violent crime in the territory.

According to Mr. Dratte, citing information relayed to him by police, at about 10: 33 last night, the 911 emergency call center received a report of shots fired in the area of Anna’s Retreat, near the Holy Family Church.

Upon arrival on the scene, police discovered two victims helpless on the ground — the first identified as 21-year-old Shaki Alexander of Hidden Valley, and the second as Kerven Joseph, age 19. Police did not reveal the community in which Mr. Joseph lived.

Mr. Alexander was taken immediately into surgery, but he later succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Joseph was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency medical technicians, according to Mr. Dratte.

A preliminary investigation revealed that both victims were walking in the Anna’s Retreat area when an unknown vehicle drove near them and started firing shots, striking Mr. Alexander and Mr. Joseph multiple times about the body.

Mr. Alexander, who recently came out of prison, was involved in a nightclub incident last month. According to V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman, Mr. Alexander had stated that at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, he left Krush Night Club and traveled eastward in the area of Raphune Hill, when he heard several shots fired. He said after arriving to his home, he discovered that he was shot in his right shoulder and immediately called a taxi to transport him to the hospital. Mr. Alexander said he did not know the individuals that fired the shots at him. He had sustained a single gunshot graze to his right shoulder and was treated for his injury, according to Ms. Freeman.

Saturday’s crime scene was processed by the Forensic Unit, according to Mr. Dratte.

Police are asking anyone with more information about this double homicide to come forth and share information with law enforcement by contacting the Task Force at (340) 774-2211 extensions 5617 and 5554. Persons with information can also call 911, Crime Stoppers VI, the commissioner’s office at (340)715-5506 and the chief’s office at (340)715-5548.