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Four-Year-Old Killed in a Spray of Gunfire

Sept. 27, 2004 – St. Thomas recorded its second homicide in three days when a 4-year-old was shot and killed. Two others — a 7-year-old and a 26-year-old –were injured by the spray of gunfire.
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, said the 4-year-old died of multiple gunshot wounds at Roy L. Schneider Hospital. He added, "The other two victims were being treated in the emergency room for various gunshot injuries."
Amos Carty Jr., hospital spokesman and chief operating officer, said late Monday night that the minor was admitted to the pediatrics ward while the adult victim was treated and released. Neither hospital or police officials identified the victims.
Hannah said the shooting was reported at 7:55 p.m. and the adult victim told authorities that she was parked between Buildings No. 6 and 8 of the Kirwan Terrace housing community when her vehicle came under a rapid spray of gunfire.
"Someone apparently walked up to the woman's car where she was talking to a cousin and opened fire." The 26-year-old victim was seated in the front passenger seat of the car; the two children were in the rear seat. It was unclear from what direction the shooter approached the vehicle and whether he exchanged words with those in the car before firing on the victims.
Hannah said the situation was further complicated by a communications glitch which occurred when the driver of the vehicle, who was unhurt, attempted to call police from her cell phone. The call was routed to St. Croix police central dispatch instead of the St. Thomas communications center. "Fortunately the dispatcher was thinking on her feet and was quickly able to connect the victim to police emergency on St. Thomas."
Hannah urged anyone attempting to reach police from a cell phone to call specially established emergency hotlines at 776-9110 on St. Thomas and 772-9111 on St. Croix.
Late Monday night, law enforcement sources said police were conducting a manhunt across the island for the suspect, described only as a black male in his late teens to early 20's.
Authorities asked anyone with information to call 774-2211 or the emergency number 911.

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