A 20-year-old St. Thomas man who was shot in the head Tuesday afternoon remains in critical condition at a Puerto Rico Hospital Wednesday. Deputy Police Chief Theodore Carty said Wednesday morning that Rahem Donastorg was airlifted from St. Thomas’ Roy L. Schneider hospital late Tuesday night. Other media reports said Wednesday that Donastorg had died after the shooting.
Donastorg has been a lineman apprentice at the V.I. Water and Power Authority since May.
The deputy police chief said a preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a vehicle. "Apparently a few days ago Donastorg and another person argued over ownership of vehicle," he said.
Carty said that while the weapon used in the shooting has not been recovered, police investigators "are following significant leads toward the identification of the suspect responsible."
A person close to the Donastorg family said the argument between the two started over the weekend and continuedn Tuesday afternoon.
One family member who asked not to be named told St. Thomas Source that the suspect "just opened fire on my family member and shot him in the head."
Tuesday’s shooting victim is a cousin of both Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg and Police Captain Al Donastorg Sr.
Carty appealed to the community to assist the department in its investigation of the shooting. He asked anyone with information to contact detectives at 774-4050 or emergency 911.
