VIPD detectives, Emergency Medical Technicians, and personnel from the Virgin Islands Department of Justice on North Shore Road, where 56-year-old John Silcott was found deceased. By. VI CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — A man was found shot to death on North Shore Road in the vicinity of Salt River Tuesday morning, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima has announced.
According to the news release, on Tuesday at 7:31 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received reports from concerned citizens of an unresponsive Black male on the shoulder of North Shore Road, in the vicinity of Salt River. Officers traveled to the area and corroborated the callers’ reports.
Emergency Medical Technicians confirmed that the victim, identified by next of kin as 56-year-old John “Smiley” Silcott of Castle Burke, had no vital signs. Further investigation revealed that Silcott was shot multiple times and left for dead on the side of the road.
Police Commissioner Ray Martinez said the incident was another example of why the partnership between law enforcement and the community is paramount in solving crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. "We fully understand that it is the police department's responsibility to investigate these types of incidents. But the nature of this incident shows the need for continued police and community partnership," he said. "This was an isolated incident and police were nowhere around, and the body was discovered several hours later."
He added, "We are grateful for the assistance the community has been providing, and we ask the community to continue working with us as a partner in keeping our communities and neighborhoods safe."
Detectives are asking for help with information about this incident, including where Silcott was Monday evening.
If you have information, call 911, the Crime TipLine at (340) 778-4950, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS or online at crimestoppersusvi.org.
