Two Shot, One Dead Near Lorraine Village In First 2017 Homicide On St. Croix

ST. CROIX — On the day St. Croix was set to leave behind the month of January without a single homicide for 2017, two men were shot near Lorraine Village last night, leaving one dead and the other injured, V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards confirmed to The Consortium last night.

Mr. Richards said that the V.I.P.D.’s ShotSpotter had system detected gunfire in the Lorraine Village area just after 7:00 p.m. In tandem, a concerned resident was on the phone with the 911 emergency call center reporting that people were shot and one man was lying on the ground.

Police units rushed to the scene and discovered a male victim on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds about his body, according to Mr. Richards. That victim had a very low pulse at the time. Police then discovered a second individual who was on the phone with 911, and he, along with the victim lying on the ground, were transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital.

The victim who sustained multiple gunshots about the body died before being transported to the hospital, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte said this morning. An earlier report said the victim had succumbed to his injuries at the Juan F. Luis Hospital.

He was identified by his mother as McDonald Samuel, 20, with no fixed address, according to Mr. Richards. “The [deceased victim] had quite a number or run-ins with the law before,” the commissioner said.

The second victim was treated for a gunshot injury in the hand and released.

“We know that there could be possible two suspects involved who fled the scene. So we are in fact canvasing the area as part of the investigation,” Mr. Richards said.

St. Croix has been relatively quiet in regards to gun violence. Last night’s homicide marks the first on the island for 2017.

The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of crime suspects to contact the Homicide Tax Force at 340-778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI, where you tip may lead to a substantial payday, here.