The Juan F. Luis Hospital Emergency Room. Five gunshot victims were transported to the ER Friday night, with one, identified as Kadiyen Illidge, succumbing to her wounds at the hospital. Photo Credit: VI CONSORTIUM
Last updated on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 at 11:29 a.m.
ST. CROIX — Friday night was exceptionally violent on St. Croix, with five shooting victims, including one who died, being reported across the island — from Kingshill, to Smith Field, and on King Street in Frederiksted — the latter leaving a female victim in her twenties dead. Previously, based on information three shooting victims provided to the V.I.P.D., the victims stated they were shot in the vicinity of the Corner Pocket in Kingshill.
However, the owner of the facility, who said his business was closed by midnight, vehemently disputed the victims' claims, stating that no such occurrence took place at his business or in the vicinity thereof. Backing up the owner's statement, the V.I.P.D. on Sunday morning said that after conducting an investigation into the incident, it found no evidence to support the suspects' claim that they were shot in the vicinity of Corner Pocket.
The Consortium made contact with V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima, who provided further details.
According to the 911 Emergency Call Center, the first incident occurred at 10:18 p.m. on King Street in Frederiksted, where a female victim, who police have identified as Kadiyen Illidge of Sion Hill, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Police were still gathering details of the homicide at time of writing.
Then, at 11:49 p.m., notification came in of another gunshot victim at the hospital with wounds to the midsection. "The victim stated he was walking in Smith Field and was shot by unknown persons who drove by in a vehicle," Mr. Derima said. He said the victim stated he did not know who shot him, or why he was targeted.
Shortly thereafter, the 911 emergency call center received additional calls from the hospital regarding two gunshot victims who were transported to the ER after being shot, allegedly in the Kingshill area. Mr. Derima said both victims sustained gunshot wounds to their heads, however they were in stable condition as of early Saturday.
The victims with the gunshot wounds to the head told police they were shot in the area of the Corner Pocket, again an occurrence the establishment's owner said never occurred at or near his facility.
The fifth incident was reported at about 11:53 p.m., when a black male walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm, according to police. This victim also told police he was shot in the vicinity of Corner Pocket.
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The latest homicide is the 41st territory-wide for 2020. The 39th homicide occurred in St. Thomas at Oswald Harris Court on September 13, followed by the 40th incident less than an hour later on the Melvin Evans Highway on St. Croix, where a 20-year-old woman was pursued by high-speed chase and was shot and killed.
