ST. CROIX — Shooting incidents in the John F. Kennedy Housing Community in Golden Rock and neighboring Orange Grove near the Government Employees’ Retirement System’s (G.E.R.S.) complex on Monday afternoon, rattled residents and employees of businesses working in the area.
According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte, the first incident occurred at the housing community at about 2:38 p.m. and was reported to the 911 emergency call center by an off-duty police officer. Following the incident, Juanita Gardine Elementary School officials immediately placed the facility on shutdown in an effort to protect students. The shutdown lasted for approximately one hour, according to Mr. Dratte.
Moments following the shooting at the housing community, another shooting was reported near the G.E.R.S. building in Orange Grove at 3:48 p.m. Police were also dispatched to the area to investigate. Mr. Dratte said police had not determined whether the incidents were related.
The gunshots rattled the communities, with residents reporting multiple and rapid loud bangs, suggesting that the weapon used to discharge the shots could have been automatic. Police have classified the incidents as reckless endangerment, according to Mr. Dratte.
No one was harmed as a result of the shootings, Mr. Dratte said.
Police are asking residents with information about the incidents to contact the V.I.P.D. at 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI here.
Feature Image: A 2016 crime scene in the J.F.K. housing community.
Tags: kennedy, shooting, st croix, usvi
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