Deray Smithen. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department is actively seeking a suspect following a shooting incident at the Frontline Bar and Restaurant that left a man and a woman with gunshot wounds.
According to the VIPD, at about 1:00 a.m. Monday an adult male and an adult female were injured in the altercation and subsequently transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment.
The confrontation began as a verbal dispute, which rapidly escalated into a physical brawl, the VIPD said. Amidst the commotion, 35-year-old Deray Smithen allegedly drew a firearm, firing multiple shots at the male victim, inflicting severe injuries. The male remains in critical condition at the hospital. Meanwhile, a female bystander attempting to flee the scene was grazed by a bullet but sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Smithen, who has been identified as the primary shooter through both eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage, is described as a black male, approximately 5'10" tall, weighing 210 lbs., with short, close-cut black hair and brown eyes.
The VIPD is urging anyone with information about Smithen's whereabouts to contact the CIB Detectives at 340-778-4850, the CIB tip line at 340-475-3871, Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-TIPS, or dial 911.
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