A black male, age and identity unknown as of 6 p.m. Monday, was shot in the head while riding his bicycle early Saturday and died of his injury shortly after noon on Monday, the V.I. Police Department reported.
It was the fifth homicide on St. Thomas since the first of the year, the 12th in the territory.
According to the VIPD, the incident took place at about 1:39 a.m. Saturday in the area of Banco Popular in Altona, between the roadways of Veteran’s Drive and Harwood Highway.
At about 1:39 a.m. Saturday, the 911 call center received a report of shots being fired in Altona. Patrol units traveled to the scene and found a male lying close to a bicycle. He appeared to be unresponsive.
The victim was transported by ambulance to the Schneider Regional Medical Center for evaluation.
At the hospital, detectives made contact with the medical staff, who told them that the unknown victim was unresponsive and had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
The victim succumbed to his injury at 12:43 p.m. Monday.
The case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Police urged anyone with information about the crime to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211 ext. 5579, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS).
Tips to Crime Stoppers that result in the resolution of a case can qualify the caller for an anonymous cash reward.
