ST. THOMAS — A 21-year-old woman was shot and killed early Monday on Veterans Drive in St. Thomas, the Consortium has learned, with the death subsequently confirmed by V.I. Police Department Director of Communications Glen Dratte. The killing raised the territory’s 2026 homicide count to 39: 17 on St. Thomas and 22 on St. Croix.
The VIPD identified the victim as J’Niya Rambaran. According to Mr. Dratte, the ShotSpotter Detection System registered multiple gunshots along Veterans Drive at approximately 1:00 a.m. Monday, September 28. Patrol officers responded and encountered Rambaran suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Rambaran was transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries, police said. Her identity was released after notification of next of kin.
VIPD has classified the incident, report number 26TP11474, as a homicide. The department lists the suspect or suspects as unknown, and its release does not provide a description of anyone being sought or disclose a possible motive for the killing.
Rambaran’s death raises St. Thomas’s homicide count for the year to 17. St. Croix has recorded 22, bringing the territorywide total to 39.
Police are asking anyone with information about the killing to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau at 340-774-2211. Tips may also be provided by calling 911, Crime Stoppers VI, the commissioner’s office at 340-715-5506, or the chief’s office at 340-715-5548.
