Officer Colvin Georges, one of two V.I. Police Department officers injured in a shooting Saturday in the Contant area, was airlifted to Florida Sunday for treatment, according to a statement issued by Government House.
Georges and Officer Aaron Hodge were on patrol Saturday evening in the area of the car wash, which had been the scene of a fatal shooting the day before. According to the police, 22-year-old Jose Fuentes had been standing near the car wash Friday night when at least one person and possibly more fired multiple shots at him. He died later that night at the Roy Schneider Regional Medical Center.
At about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Officers Georges and Hodge were patrolling the area when they saw several men loitering near the car wash. As police approached, the group opened fired, according to the report. Two more officers responded and in the ensuing shootout one suspect was killed and two officers were wounded.
Police on Monday released the name of the slain man: Gerald Jackson, 23. Jackson had been arrested April 4, after officers on routine patrol in Estate Contant noticed suspicious activity near an abandoned house. According to their report, Jackson and another suspect, Mickael Liverpool, were inside the abandoned home and seen by police placing marijuana into vials for individual sale. At that time, police confiscated 250 grams of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, and a handgun from that location. Both suspect were held on $10,000 bail each and processed by the courts.
Both officers are still under medical care. As of Monday, one officer remains in critical condition and the other officer is stable, according to a statement released by the VIPD.
Gov. John deJongh, Jr. on Sunday offered his deepest appreciation to the two injured officers, the statement from Government House said.
"The prayers of the people are with Officers Aaron Hodge and Colvin Georges, who were struck by gunfire after approaching a group of men loitering in the Contant area," deJongh said.
"At the hospital last night, I had the opportunity to speak with Officer Hodge, his family, and the family of Officer Georges to convey to them the deep appreciation our community has for the valiant efforts of the front line officers each day. It is really unfortunate when officers, on a proactive patrol initiative, approach a citizen to question him and he is greeted by a spray of gunfire," deJongh said.
The governor also praised the two other police officers who were quick to return fire against the suspect, ending the threat against the two injured officers.
DeJongh was updated throughout the day Sunday about the effort to airlift Georges to a hospital in Florida where he is now being treated.
