VIPD units on the Melvin Evans Highway. By. V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — Two men died Wednesday night and one is in critical condition following a shooting in the Frangipani area, north of Mon Bijou.
According to the V.I. Police Department, the incident occurred around 6:59 p.m. when the 9-1-1 Emergency Call Center was alerted by the ShotSpotter system to gunfire in the area, shortly followed by a call reporting that someone had been shot.
Preliminary investigations by the CIB Major Crimes Unit revealed that four male individuals were playing dominoes on the porch of a home in Frangipani when two armed men entered the property and opened fire with assault rifles. The assailants then exited the property, got into an SUV, and left the area.
As a result of the shooting, two men succumbed to their injuries. They were identified by their next of kin as Keshawn Kirby, Jr., aged 27, and Ray Vincent Stevens, aged 29. A third man was transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital in serious condition, where he underwent emergency surgery. A fourth individual sustained minor injuries from glass debris but has refused to assist in the investigation.
Forensic personnel were present at the scene, where they photographed, processed, and collected several high-caliber spent cartridges. The incident remains under active investigation.
The V.I. Police Department is urging anyone with information about this double homicide to contact the CIB Tipline at 340-778-4850, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or call 911.
