Akimo Smith, person of interest in Tuesday night Oswald Harris Court Shooting. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
During a press conference to update the public on the two homicides that took place in St. Thomas in less than 24 hours, Richard Velazquez, deputy chief of police for St. Thomas, identified the victim and person of interest in the Oswald Harris Court housing community shooting that took place Tuesday night.
The victim of the shooting was identified as 35-year old Akeem Dore; the person of interest was identified as 37-year-old Akimo Smith.
Smith resides in Anna's Fancy and is known to frequent the 1st Stop Gas Station and the Oswald Harris Court area where the shooting took place.
Mr. Velazquez said, “If you see him, if you know him, please tell him to call 911, or if you see him call 911, have him turn himself in so that we can talk to him. He is a person of interest in this homicide and the Virgin Islands Police Department would like to have a conversation with him.”
Mr. Velazquez asked persons with information relative to the shooting to reach out to the police department at any of the following numbers:
-
The Criminal Investigations Bureau on St. Thomas (340-774-2211 ext. 5569)
-
Major Crime Unit (340-714-9830), The Chief's Office (340-715-5548)
-
The Commissioners Office (340-715-5506)
-
Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477)
The deputy chief shared sympathy for the victims' families and friends. “On behalf of the Virgin Islands Police Department, Government of the Virgin Islands, the Office of the Commissioner and Chief we would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Bill John-Baptise and Mr. Akeem Dore on their untimely and more importantly devastating passing," he said. "No one should meet their demise in this fashion.”
Mr. Velazquez thanked the community for its role in helping the police department identify a person of interest. “I would like to thank each and everyone of you who has called, texted, sent emails to the Virgin Islands Police Department because if it was not for you we would not be where we are in one of these homicide investigations," he said.
Advertisements
