Ambulance and emergency response personnel at a crime scene on St. Croix. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — An 18-year-old teenager was among the two males who died from gunshot wounds during a shooting incident at Paradise Mills Sunday night that spilled over into the Louis E. Brown housing community, the V.I. Police Department announced Monday in an updated release.
The V.I.P.D. said 18-year-old Steven Hodge Jr. was identified by next of kin as one of the victims. He was transported to the Juan F. Luis for emergency treatment following the shooting, but he later succumbed to his injuries, the V.I.P.D. said. Hodge Jr. was found injured at Paradise Mills — located just east of the new Louis E. Brown community.
The other victim, identified by next of kin as 34-year-old Aurelio Rivera, was found dead on arrival near a sidewalk in the Phase 2 area of the Louis E. Brown community.
Both victims were shot about the body multiple times, according to the police department. "[An] Investigation revealed that Mr. Rivera ran from Paradise Mills to the Louis E. Brown Housing Community where he dropped and succumbed to his injuries," the V.I.P.D. said.
An investigation into the homicides has been launched and is ongoing, according to V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte.
The V.I.P.D.'s Criminal Investigation Bureau is asking anyone with information about the recent shootings to call the CIB Tip-Line at 340-778-4850, 340-712-6092, or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers USVI here.
The double homicide follows two deadly shootings on St. Croix on August 25, when a man was gunned down while doing landscaping work, and later that day when another man was ambushed in the vicinity of building 88 at the Bethlehem Village Housing Community, also known as the Harvey Project. These killings were preceded by a triple homicide in one night on St. Croix on July 26.
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