Innocent Bystander Gets Shot During Shootout In St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS — An innocent bystander was shot on Wednesday night while a shootout between two individuals was ongoing, V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman announced via press release this afternoon.

According to Ms. Freeman, speaking to The Consortium via telephone, at roughly 9:49 p.m. on Wednesday, the 911 emergency call center received a report of a shooting incident in Contact Knolls. Upon arrival to the scene, officers met with an individual who stated that upon arriving home, he turned around his vehicle at the rear gate of Contant Knolls to park on the side of the roadway. While traveling back out, he heard several shots being fired towards him. The individual said he then exited his vehicle and returned fire in the direction he believed the shots that were fired at him came from.

Meanwhile, at about 9:59 p.m. the same night, officers responded to a call in reference to a gunshot victim being dropped off by a private vehicle at the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital’s emergency room. Upon arrival to the hospital, contact was made with a black male who appeared to have been shot and was bleeding from the wrist and ankle area, according to Ms. Freeman.

Ms. Freeman said the victim, who was released after being treated, “was in and out,” and was returned to the hospital. She said the victim was an innocent bystander who got caught in the gunfight.

Police have yet to make an arrest relative to this incident, and the case remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau, according to Ms. Freeman. Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of perpetrators to call the Investigation Bureau at 340-7742211 ext. 5579 and 5557. You can also contact 911 or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-8477.