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ST. CROIX — A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed Thursday night at the Walter I.M. Hodge Housing Community in Frederiksted, where gunfire also left an 18-year-old man wounded, bringing the U.S. Virgin Islands' homicide count for 2026 to 43.
The deceased was identified by next of kin as Ky'janny Niles, according to VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte. His death marks the 26th homicide on St. Croix this year, while St. Thomas has recorded 17. No homicides have been reported on St. John.
According to the VIPD, the 911 Emergency Call Center received a notification from the department's Gunshot Detection Center at approximately 9:07 p.m. Thursday, October 22, reporting shots fired at the Walter I.M. Hodge Housing Community, commonly known as Sofarelli. Emergency dispatchers also received multiple calls reporting two gunshot victims.
Police officers, Emergency Medical Services and fire personnel responded to the scene, where both victims were transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment.
Despite medical intervention, Niles succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, an 18-year-old male whose identity has not been released, was treated for his injuries and was reported to be in stable condition.
The killing comes just two days after another deadly shooting on St. Croix. On Tuesday morning, 24-year-old Jahmarie Warden was found unresponsive in Old Fredensborg, near a vehicle that had been damaged by gunfire. Police responding to a gunshot detection alert discovered his body at approximately 10:39 a.m.
That killing, together with confirmation that a man critically wounded in an October 1 shooting in Profit Hills had subsequently died, raised the territory's homicide count to 42. Niles's death Thursday night brings the total to 43, with St. Croix accounting for more than half of the killings.
The Walter I.M. Hodge Housing Community has also been the scene of previous shootings. On June 15, police responded to reports of multiple shots fired near the entrance to the community at approximately 6:53 a.m. A gunshot victim arrived at Juan F. Luis Hospital by private vehicle shortly afterward, prompting an investigation by the VIPD.
The community was also the scene of a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024, when 19-year-old Errol Stephen St. Jean was shot in the head. He was transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital but later died from his injuries. Two suspects, Carlos Ayala and Casey Rivera, subsequently surrendered to police in connection with that killing.
Niles is also among the territory's young residents killed by gun violence this year. On June 12, 15-year-old Tre'Vante Etienne was shot multiple times in the Vester Gade area of St. Thomas. He was transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center, where he died despite efforts to save his life.
Police have not disclosed what led to Thursday night's shooting at Sofarelli or identified any suspects. The Criminal Investigation Bureau is continuing its investigation.
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or 911.
