ST. THOMAS — A man was shot dead here near Home Depot on Sunday night, V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman announced this morning. The homicide brings the number of gunshot-related deaths in St. Thomas to eight, according to St. Thomas District Police Chief Jason Marsh.<\/p>\n
Ms. Freeman said the 911 emergency call center received notification at approximately 9:30 p.m. from a resident, who said that he’d heard shots fired near Home Depot, and that a male victim was on the ground.<\/p>\n
Upon officers’ arrival to the scene — a grassy area adjacent to the roadway leading to Home Depot — an unresponsive, black male was lying face down with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to his upper body. Emergency medical technicians arrived to the scene and pronounced the victim dead, according to Ms. Freeman.<\/p>\n
He was later identified by next of kin as 48-year-old Don A. Richards of Anna’s Retreat. The V.I.P.D. said it had no suspects as of Monday morning.<\/p>\n
Chief Marsh extended his deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Richards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our eighth homicide involving gun violence on St. Thomas,\u201d Chief Marsh said. \u201cI plead with those who have information to please contact the police department. These acts of senseless crimes cannot continue and we need every bit of information you can provide to assist in putting away these criminals.\u201d<\/p>\n