It happened in a matter of minutes: motorists appear to stop behind a vehicle driving eastbound on the Weymouth Rhymer Highway and wait as gunmen open fire over traffic and into the gas station near the Donoe Bypass.
The scene unfolds on video clips taken from multiple passengers near the daylight drive-by on Wednesday, which the V.I. Police Department said left one man wounded. Officials have confirmed they are reviewing the footage, along with information and reports circulating about what precipitated the shooting.
The victim, who is said to have been on island for a funeral, drove himself to the St. Thomas hospital, which remained on lockdown as a precaution while he received treatment, Police Commissioner Ray Martinez confirmed Wednesday night. No other bystanders were injured, he said.
The highway was also closed for a chunk of the afternoon as police scoured the scene, tagged evidence and conducted interviews. While the details are still being put together, Martinez added that as another precaution, VIPD will be increasing its presence in highly trafficked areas and neighborhoods.
In a news release Wednesday night, VIPD said the victim refused to cooperate during questioning. The department is asking anyone with information to contact Emergency 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211, ext. 5573 or Crime Stoppers V.I. at (800) 222-TIPS.
