A man was shot and killed Saturday night at the Mutual Homes Apartments in Estate Grove Place, the second homicide on St. Croix since the start of the year, the V.I. Police Department reported Monday.
The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Akeem Phillip, a resident of that community.
It was the sixth homicide in the territory since Jan. 1. By this date in 2012 there had been 18 homicides in the territory for the year and 10 on St. Croix alone.
According to police, officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired a few minutes after 9 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived on the scene outside of Building 27 they saw a man lying on the steps, unresponsive.
EMTs on the scene checked the victim for vital signs but foiund no response.
Police said residents in the area reported hearing several gunshots. Forensic detectives collected spent shell casings from the area.
The case will be followed up by detectives from the Major Crime Unit. Police urge anyone who knows anything about the murder to call detectives at 340-712-6077 or 340-712-6037, or 911. The report also said anyone with information can report it to any police officer or give information anonymously to Crime Stoppers USVI by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.
