ST. CROIX — Two off-duty police officers were found lying dead in the sand on a beach in Hams Bluff, Frederiksted, which is all the way past the crusher to the north off the island, Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, who was on the scene, confirmed to The Consortium this afternoon.
Describing the incident as tragic, Mr. Richards said the victims — a male and female, both of them shot dead — said the incident occurred less than 24 hours ago, adding that it most likely occurred last night, as one of the officers was supposed to report to duty Wednesday night but failed to do so.
“We know for a fact that one officer was supposed to report to duty last night and he didn’t show,” Mr. Richards said. “What we’re looking at is that it happened within a 24-hour time period, based on folks who had seen him [the male victim] prior.”
The bodies were discovered this afternoon on the sand by two individuals who came to the area to catch whelks, Mr. Richards said. He said V.I.P.D. detectives are speaking to several people, and will share more information once he’s able to combine the various moving parts of the story.
Earlier reports suggested that police were on the hunt for one of their own, but Mr. Richards said he would not deny or confirm said reports.
“I’m going back to the office to sit with everybody and see what they have, and then we move forward. And I also want to make sure that the next of kin is notified,” the commissioner said, opting not to reveal the identity of the deceased officers at that time.
He then expressed grief, which was already apparent on his face. Police vehicles lined the side of the small path, and officers could be seen talking among themselves, visibly disturbed by the occurrence.
“It’s a tragic day,” Mr. Richards said, describing one officer as “very good,” and the other as having served for multiple years with the V.I.P.D.
“We’re talking to several people to get as much information as we can — to determine whereabouts, where they were last seen and whom they were last seen with. Every time a name pops up, we’re going after that.”
Mr. Richards said the officers were found clothed.
V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte told The Consortium that Commissioner Richards and Governor Kenneth Mapp would hold a press conference at Government House here at 5:30 p.m. to address the matter.
Developing story…
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