Jan. 7, 2004 — St. Croix police have identified the victim of Sunday night’s shooting on Mon Bijou Road as Angel Diaz Sr., the father of VIPD officer Angel Diaz Jr. According to Territorial Police Chief Novelle Francis, the victim remained hospitalized Tuesday and is in guarded but stable condition after undergoing emergency surgery.
The elder Diaz was driving his son’s pickup truck on the roadway near the Alfredo Andrews Elementary School when it came under attack from unknown gunmen. More than 20 shots were fired at Diaz, who was struck four times in the right and left sides as he attempted to escape the gunfire.
Police have been reluctant to say that Officer Diaz was the target of the shooting. Authorities did confirm that federal law enforcement agencies have been brought into the investigation. "At this time, this investigation is being pursued by both local and federal law enforcement agents," Francis said Tuesday.
Authorities surmise that Diaz had left his place of business around midnight Sunday and was en route to his home when the gunfire attack occurred.
As of Tuesday, police had no motives for the shooting and could not say how many suspects were involved. No weapon was recovered, but a quantity of spent .223 caliber ammunition casings were found near the bullet-riddled, silver Mazda B2000 pickup truck.
Francis asked anyone with information to call investigators at 778-2211, 778-4950 or emergency 911.
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