Aug. 12, 2007 – V.I. Police were looking into possible links Sunday between the killing of an unidentified man in the Gold Hill area near Frydenhoj Ballpark and a shooting with four victims on Saturday.
Two of the shooting victims, one of whom sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and had to undergo emergency surgery, remained hospitalized in critical condition, according to police spokeswoman Monyka Johnigan.
In a statement released Sunday evening, Johnigan said the 911 Center received reports of shots being fired at 1:37 p.m. Police who responded found the victim inside a green Suzuki Vitara with several gunshot wounds.
“Police say several bullet holes were visible on the vehicle,” Johnigan said. “Police say the victim collided with a motorist driving a van before he died.”
A second vehicle, a green Honda Civic, was also found with several visible bullet holes, she said.
Police had yet to identify the victim late Sunday and Johnigan said investigators were looking at his killing as possibly tied to Saturday's shooting.
“Investigators are questioning people of interest and believe this and Saturday’s shooting in the same area could be related,” she said.
According to a statement from Johnigan, police were called to the Gold Hill area at 7:35 p.m. Saturday after reports of shots fired. According to initial reports to police, four people in a green four-door Toyota Camry approached several individuals and ordered them to the ground, demanding money and other items. The assailants then opened fire on the group, Johnigan said.
Police confirmed that money and jewelry were taken from the victims.
The victims, all men ranging in age from 23 to 43, sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of the body. In addition to the two listed in critical condition, the other two were said to be in stable condition.
Sunday’s killing is the 14th on the island of St. Thomas and the 23rd killing territory-wide.
Johnigan said Sunday that officers from the VIPD Special Operations Unit, Zone C command, Forensics and Investigations Bureau responded to the scene near the ballpark. Police are urging residents in the Gold Hill area or anyone who may have information on Sunday’s killing and any other unsolved crimes to contact Investigations Bureau at 715-5522 or 911.
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