The area of Norre Gade near the Frederick Lutheran Church in St. Thomas. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. THOMAS — A fatal shooting took place during the annual Carnival festivities in St. Thomas, resulting in the death of 54-year-old Alrick M. Thomas on Norre Gade near the Frederick Lutheran Church Saturday night, the V.I. Police Department has confirmed. The VIPD said a suspect is in custody, however the individual had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment and therefore details regarding his apprehension will be forthcoming.
The VIPD said it received multiple 911 calls from concerned citizens reporting gunshots in the area around 8:37 p.m. Responding officers arrived on the scene to find a black male, later identified as Alrick M. Thomas, unresponsive and suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Technicians were dispatched to assess the victim's condition. At 8:52 p.m., they concluded that Thomas showed no signs of life.
The Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Unit is currently investigating the incident, and the authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Citizens can contact the VIPD at (340) 774-2211 or the Criminal Investigation Unit's Major Crimes Division at 340-642-8449. For those wishing to remain anonymous, information can be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-847, or online here.
The shooting cast a somber shadow over the otherwise vibrant 2023 Carnival Festivities in St. Thomas, which was otherwise a historic season with legendary artists — from Shenseea to Machel Montano — performing during the Carnival Village.
