Former Senatorial Candidate Shot At On Tuesday Morning; No Injuries Sustained

ST. CROIX — Former senatorial candidate in the 2016 Democratic Primary, Ignacio Llanos III, was shot at twice in the wee hours of Tuesday morning after leaving work,” Mr. Llanos made known to The Consortium. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and Mr. Llanos said he had no explanation as to why someone would shoot at him.

He explained in detail what happened.

“I was heading east towards Union Mt. Washington to pick up my campaign signs when I noticed a white SUV close behind me,” Mr. Llanos, 29, who had just left work at midnight, began. “As I drove across the entrance to park up, the vehicle made the right-hand turn on the road that takes you to Divi [Carina Bay].

“When I got out of my vehicle, I noticed the white SUV had turned around and came back towards me. It was a white Jeep Liberty. As they passed me again but this time heading towards Tipperary road, they stopped and the passenger rolled down his window and then pointed a black handgun in my direction. He fired two shots but I was able to run and duck behind my vehicle in time. The Liberty then sped off and I hopped into my vehicle hoping to catch up to them in hopes of at least getting the license plate number, but I never got close enough.”

Mr. Llanos said while in pursuit of the Jeep Liberty, he made contact with the 911 emergency call center and was told by a dispatcher not to chase after the assailants, but rather head to the nearest police station to file a report. Mr. Llanos said he did as was told but not before a final effort to locate the suspects, in hopes of capturing the vehicle’s license plate.

“Before heading to the police station I drove through a few neighborhoods but I didn’t spot the vehicle. I walked into the police station in Christiansted at 12:56 a.m.,” he said.

Mr. Llanos remained befuddled by the incident, and stressed that he did not believe it had anything to do with politics, but rather young men with idle hands. “The situation is ridiculous but I don’t think it has anything to do with politics, being that I lost the election over a week ago,” he said.

Mr. Llanos placed eighth in the August 6 Democratic Primary after securing only 611 votes or 5.65 percent. He was bested by Terrence D. Joseph, who moved on to the General Election after securing 762 votes, or 7.05 percent.