ST. CROIX — Three men were injured during a shootout across the street from Rainbow Beach in Frederiksted Sunday afternoon, the popular tourist destination that is always dense with beachgoers both local and foreign on Sundays.
According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte, the 911 emergency call center was notified of the shooting about 3:57 p.m., and officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Mr. Dratte said that two individuals, both in their early twenties, started shooting at each other following a verbal altercation. During the shootout, three people were shot, included the two young men and a minor, Mr. Dratte said.
Both men were transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital by private vehicle, while the minor was transported by Ambulance, Mr. Dratte said.
The incident was not connected to the beach or restaurant, said Rainbow Restaurant owner Jamy Mult, who spoke to The Consortium Sunday evening. Mr. Mult said the facility always has a strong security presence.
All three individuals, at time of writing, were receiving treatment at the hospital. According to a police officer, one of the three was shot multiple times about his body and may be in critical condition.
A video being shared on WhatsApp and viewed by The Consortium shows multiple people carrying an injured man from one vehicle to another. Someone in the video could be heard saying to apply pressure to the injured man’s leg. Soon after, the vehicle sped off, leaving the area with the victim.
In another video, gunshots can be heard rattling as a live performance was ongoing. The singer, stunned by the gunshots, ducked for cover. In the same video, people are heard scrambling to get to safety.
The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone with information about the incident to send an anonymous message to Crime Stoppers USVI here, or call 340-778-2211.
Tags: shooting
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