Three Minors, Including Two 15-Year-Olds, Involved in Shooting Incident That Left One Injured

  • Staff Consortium
  • September 29, 2020
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ST. THOMAS — Police took into custody two of three minors involved in a shooting incident on Sunday that left one injured.

According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima, on Sunday at approximately midnight, the 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched officers to Moravian Highway on a report of shots fired. Officers on the way to the area noticed a silver vehicle passing them at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was followed to the Schneider Regional Medical Center.

The vehicle had a driver and two passengers, all minors. One of the passengers, a 17-year-old male, sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital’s emergency room for treatment. Officers found a firearm in the vehicle, and the two 15-year-old males in the vehicle were taken into protective custody and charged with constructive possession of an unlicensed firearm, Mr. Derima said.

St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island District Police Chief Steven Philip was saddened by the news that a juvenile was injured by gunfire this weekend, according to the V.I.P.D. release. The chief called on parents and guardians to help reduce firearm possession by juveniles within the territory.  “Juvenile gun possession is one of the threats to public safety in the territory. As parents we must ensure that our children understand the danger,” Chief Philip said. 

This incident is under investigation by the Youth Investigation Bureau, said Mr. Derima. The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone with information about this incident to call 911, the Youth Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS.

 

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