The Gottlieb Quickway Service Center.
ST. THOMAS — A deadly and unfortunate incident unfolded on Friday night at the Gottlieb Quickway Service Center in St. Thomas, resulting in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy, the V.I. Police Department has confirmed to the Consortium.
The incident was reported to police at approximately 9:39 p.m., leading to the immediate dispatch of responding officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to the scene.
Upon arrival, authorities found an unresponsive black male. Despite immediate attention from EMTs, he was pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m. — just eleven minutes after the initial emergency call. The cause of death was confirmed as at least one gunshot wound to the upper body.
The deceased was later identified by next of kin as Leroy Corneilus Jr.
The VIPD is leading the investigation into the homicide, which carried the territory's total for 2023 to 19: ten on St. Thomas and 9 on St. Croix. There were no suspects in custody as of Saturday morning.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, law enforcement officers are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in their efforts to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Leroy Corneilus's untimely death.
Residents are requested to contact the VIPD at (340-774-2211), the Criminal Investigation Unit’s Major Crimes Division at 340-642-8449, and Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online here.
