Shooting In St. Thomas Leaves One Man Dead

A St. Thomas man was found dead at about 4:47 a.m. on Thursday in the Oswald Harris Court in building 21, The V.I.P.D has revealed.

The victim, 26-year old Keithroy Caines, was found unresponsive in his bedroom apartment and appeared to had been shot at least one time in the upper body, according to police.

There were no shots fired that preceded the homicide in the Oswald Harris Court, and police also confirmed that the incident was not random. They would not reveal more details because the investigation was still ongoing.

Perturbed, Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard Sr. said that the community must take a stand against the perpetrators of such violent acts and report those responsible for terrorizing our community.

“This is a clear example of people becoming immune to the discharging of shots in many of our neighborhoods,” Querrard said. “The time when calls are made to 911 is when the caller or a family member is a direct victim of the shots being fired, or when there is damage to personal property. When this occurs it is too late. We as a community must be the ones to say enough is enough.

“We must be the ones to call and pass on specific information about those few living among us who are terrorizing our families in our homes, a place where one expects peace and tranquility. The elderly and minors living in these areas are suffering greatly when these senseless discharging of firearms occur.”

Querrard again stressed that the only way crime will be solved is if the community, including officials and the ones whom they serve, come together and share information that would see these criminals being put to justice.

“The only way this is going to happen is for a continued joint partnership with law enforcement, all law enforcement, federal and local, and a strong partnership with all of our community members. We, all of us, can make that difference.

“Trust must be built both ways; between law enforcement personnel and those we serve each and every day. The Virgin Islands Police Department has reached out to other agencies that have Peace Officers asking for their assistance in this effort. Every Peace Officer in this territory swore to protect and serve the people of this territory, and that is what is expected of them, nothing less.”

The territory has been battered with a wave of crime in recent times, and the commissioner is asking for anyone with information on this latest murder, or any other murder, to call the Major Crimes Unit detectives at 340-642-8449 (cell), or 340-774-2211 extension 5617 or 5619. Information can also be passed on also to Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or 911.