The men who this week became the territory’s first and second homicide victims of the year were publicly identified Friday by Chief of Police Oakland Benta.
Akeem Lee, 20, died on Monday as a result of gunshots sustained in Frederiksted. Lee was a resident of Estate Concordia. Police on routine patrol discovered his body under the balcony at the Frederiksted food stamp office at approximately 2:47 a.m. Monday. Upon approaching him they realized he was unresponsive and bleeding from a head wound, apparently from a gunshot.
The second homicide victim, 22-year-old Shamir James, died Wednesday at the Juan F. Luis Hospital. Police were investigating shots fired in the area of Chris’ Hideaway in Christiansted early Wednesday morning when they were told that two shooting victims had been taken to the hospital. James died of gunshot wounds. At the time of the incident, police reported that the victims were both from Atlanta, Ga.
The investigations into both homicides are ongoing. Police are appealing to the community to call 911, the Major Crime Bureau at 712-6075, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 712-6077/6037, or the anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS with information.
