May 27, 2001 – Police interrupted a robbery about 3:30 a.m. Sunday in downtown Frederiksted and recovered a weapon believed to have been used in the crime, but not before a man was shot.
The officers were responding to reports of gunfire on the island's West End, according to Police Commissioner Franz Christian.
The victims, a man and a woman, told officers that while they were walking in the area, "about three to five men" got out of a vehicle on Queen Street, approached the woman and grabbed a gold chain from her neck. Christian said the woman's companion attempted to stop the robbers and was shot by one of them and struck on the head by another.
"The culprits abandoned their vehicle and made their getaway on foot while police were converging on the scene," Christian said.
The gunshot victim suffered chest and forearm wounds as well as a cut on his head from a broken bottle.
Christian said police searching the area found a .38-caliber handgun believed to have been used in the robbery and shooting.
Christian credited the fast response of officers to "the recent reorganization and deployment of police personnel." This has created a greater police presence on St. Croix, he said.
Christian urged anyone with information about the case to contact police at 778-2211, ext. 4530, or the emergency number, 911.
