VIPD Makes Arrest in Gallows Bay Homicide; Press Briefing to be Held at 1pm

  • Ernice Gilbert
  • January 15, 2021
comments
0 Comments

Scene of Tuesday, Jan. 12 homicide in Gallows Bay, St. Croix

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Police Department has made an arrest in the recent homicide that occurred in Gallows Bay, the Consortium has learned. V.I.P.D. spokesman Toby Derima corroborated the information.

The incident, which occurred Tuesday in broad daylight between the Bank of St. Croix and Marshall and Sterling Insurance buildings, resulted in the death of 23-year-old Michael Cruz of Sion Farm.

The V.I.P.D. issued a media alert for a press briefing to be held at 1:00 p.m. today. "VIPD officials will be addressing the recent homicide investigation that resulted in an arrest on St. Croix," stated the media notice.

According to a release issued by police, on Tuesday at approximately 7:05 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call of shots fired in Gallows Bay. Officers traveled to the area and found a Hispanic male with multiple gunshot wounds on the ground in the parking lot between two businesses. Emergency Medical Technicians on the scene made a check of the victim and concluded that he did not have any vital signs.

At the time, St. Croix Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe denounced the homicide. “Yet another family is dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to gun violence at such a young age. I am appealing to the young men in this community to put the guns down,” Chief Elskoe said.

The Consortium will carry the press briefing live on its Facebook page and website.

 

 

 

Get the latest news straight to your phone with the VI Consortium app.