Man, Shot In Shoulder, Saves His Own Life By Fighting Off Gun-Wielding Suspect

ST. THOMAS — A man saved his own life by fighting off a gun-wielding suspect who, in the wee hours of Monday morning, fired multiple shots at the victim, ultimately resulting in a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the upper-left shoulder of the victim.

That’s according to V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman, citing information provided by a police report.

The incident occurred at 12:05 a.m. on Monday in the area of Kronprinsens Gade. The 911 emergency call center received notification of shots being fired in said locations, and that a gunshot victim had been transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center.

Upon officers’ arrival to the hospital’s emergency room, contact was made with the 22-year-old victim, who said he was walking westward in Kronprinsens Gade, when an unknown individual walked up to him and asked whether the car wash facility that the victim was near to was open. The victim said the situation felt suspicious, so he kept looking back at the suspect. Suddenly, the suspect pulled out a firearm, according to the victim, and started firing multiple shots at him.

The victim said he then instinctively grabbed the suspect’s hand, at which point a scuffle ensued, even as the suspect continued firing shots. The incident ended with both the suspect and victim running in separate directions.

The victim said he was not immediately aware of his wound, but he later felt a burning sensation and realized that he had been shot in the upper-left shoulder. He was transported to the hospital by a concerned resident that the victim did not know, according to Ms. Freeman.

The case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (C.I.B.). The force is asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact C.I.B. at 340-7742211 ext. 5579 or 5556. You can also send your tip to the anonymous tips line Crime Stoppers USVI here.