Video Showing Reaction Inside Cockpit During Deadly Shooting Emerges

ST. CROIX — A video showing the chaotic scene inside the Estate Glynn Cockpit during the shooting outside the facility that left two people dead, has been obtained by The Consortium.

The incident occurred on Saturday, March 11, just after 8:00 p.m., and the 911 emergency call center was contacted at about 8:23 p.m., according to V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards. Initially, a minor victim was the only one out of the four shot that day, who died. Five days later, however, a second victim — who had been shot in the head and was flown out of the territory for further medical assistance — was pronounced dead.

The video shows two cocks fighting as onlookers cheered their respective favorite on. As the cheers continued and the fight went on, what sounded like two gunshot bursts were heard, followed by multiple shots — causing the people inside the cockpit to dash for cover.

When the gunshots stopped, a man could be heard urging the continuation of the cockfight, but the video soon after comes to an end. The video gives an rare look at the chaos that unfolds when gunfire is unleashed where public events are held.

V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer, Glen Dratte, said recently that the force was pursuing all leads in its efforts to bring those involved to justice.

Mr. Richards said the V.I.P.D. had not yet established a motive for the deadly shooting. He said people who were inside the establishment heard gunshots on the outside, and witnessed at least two of the victims rushing into the cockpit attempting to escape gunfire.

“We don’t know whether the adult male was the target, or whether the minor was the target,” Mr. Richards said.

While the incident was ongoing, an officer noticed a man on the scene acting suspicious. The man then got into a vehicle and drove away from the scene, prompting police to pursue him, according to Mr. Richards. He was chased to the Barren Spot area, where he then got out of the car and ran into a house. Mr. Richards said police were able to take him into custody and levied unlicensed firearm, ammunition and unlawful entry charges against him. Police have identified the man as 36-year-old Edgardo Ortiz Jr., however he was not named as a suspect in the shooting.

“One incident led to the other,” Mr. Richards said. The commissioner had previously stated that the second incident was not connected to the first. However, in a later conversation with this publication today, he said, “We don’t know if he is the shooter, but we know that he was on the scene, he was acting suspicious, he was followed and ran into a house — and the house that he ran into, he had no permission to be there. So he was also charged with unlawful entry.”

The commissioner had earlier stated that the latter matter had forced officers to call for K-9 Units while they were knee-deep investigating the shooting.

The deaths were the third and fourth on St. Croix in 2017; St. Thomas has seen 10 deaths — bringing the territory’s total this year to 14.

The force is asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of those involved to contact the V.I.P.D. at (340)778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI, where you tip may lead to a substantial payout.