Crime

Unidentified Man Found Dead With Gunshot Wound at Fortuna Bay Beach, Pushing USVI Homicide Count to 38

ST. THOMAS — An unidentified man was found dead with at least one apparent gunshot wound Thursday evening near Fortuna Bay Beach, a homicide confirmed to The Consortium by VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte. The killing brings the U.S. Virgin Islands’ 2026 homicide count to 38, with 16 on St. Thomas and 22 on St. Croix. According to the V.I. Police Department, a concerned citizen contacted the 911 Emergency Call Center at approximately 5:42 p.m. on September 24 and reported an unresponsive man lying in the Fortuna Bay Beach area. Officers responded and, while inspecting the area, encountered an unresponsive Black male who appeared to have sustained at least one gunshot wound. Emergency medical technicians also responded and checked the man for vital signs, determining that he showed no signs of life. Police said his identity was not immediately known and remained pending identification and notification of next of kin. Thursday’s killing comes four days after 29-year-old Ric...