ST. THOMAS — A former health enforcement officer with the Environmental Unit was found dead in his home on Wednesday afternoon, in what the V.I.P.D. has classified as a self-inflicted death, V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman announced Wednesday.
According to Ms. Freeman, at about 1:33 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of St. Thomas community Altona & Welgunst, after receiving notification from central dispatch of a dead on arrival victim.
Ms. Freeman said a citizen called the 911 emergency call center and explained that he was trying to make contact with his neighbor to no avail. Unable to reach his neighbor, he then looked through the window of his neighbor’s residence and observed that he seemed lifeless. Contact was then made with a relative of the victim, who was identified as 71-year-old Walter Richardson, a former health enforcement officer with the Environmental Unit.
A police investigation revealed that the cause of death appeared to be the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Ms. Freeman said.
The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 340-774-221, ext. 5569. You may also contact Crime Stoppers USVI with an anonymous tip here.
Tags: suicide, us virgin islands
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