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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 Ricardo Richards was fatally shot at Princess Villas in La Grande Princesse on St. Croix. Police said multiple 911 callers reported gunfire there at approximately 2:21 p.m. Sunday before officers and emergency medical personnel found Richards unresponsive on the ground. No suspects had been identified in that case.
The territory had reached 35 homicides on September 9 following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Thymothy Rodriguez at the Titan Service Station in La Grande Princesse. At that point, St. Croix had recorded 20 homicides and St. Thomas 15.
The September 12 stabbing death of 56-year-old Carmen Ferdinand at an Estate St. John residence on St. Croix subsequently raised the territory’s count by one. Her husband, 57-year-old Dennis Ferdinand, was also found dead with an apparent gunshot wound in an incident VIPD said preliminary findings indicated could be a homicide-suicide. Richards’ September 20 killing then brought St. Croix’s count to 22, before Thursday’s Fortuna Bay death increased St. Thomas’ count to 16 and the territory-wide tally to 38.
The Fortuna Bay investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the V.I. Police Department at 340-774-2211, extensions 5555 or 5556, or 340-714-9830. Information may also be provided through 911, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-8477, the Chief’s Office at 340-715-5548, or the Commissioner’s Office at 340-715-5506.
