Police identified the victim of a police-involved shooting that occurred early Saturday morning as 31-year-old Clyde Norford.
The incident took place at approximately 12:21 a.m. in the vicinity of Fort Christian, the V.I. Police Department reported. It was the seventh homicide on St. Thomas since the beginning of the year, the 13th in the territory.
According to the preliminary investigation, officers received information that Norford was armed with a firearm. At some point during their interaction with Norford, a shot was fired, resulting in Norford’s death on the scene. A firearm was recovered on his person.
A witness on the scene told the Source that Norford had refused to obey the officers’ instruction and had "challenged" them before the shot was fired.
Parallel investigations have been initiated by the Major Crimes Unit and the Internal Affairs and Applicant Screening Bureau. Detectives from both units are seeking the community’s assistance in providing any information they may have regarding the shooting.
Anyone with information can call the Major Crimes Unit at 1-340-642-8449, or the Internal Affairs Bureau at 1-340-774-2452. Calls can also be made to 911 or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477. Information will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard Sr. said the proliferation of illegal firearms is in part to blame for such incidents as Saturday’s shooting.
“We are finding it more common for individuals to be in possession of illegal firearms when they are confronted," the commissioner said. "Officers are being challenged, as we have seen in recent weeks. The shooting of a police sergeant on St. Croix just a week or so ago [April 19], and the reported shots fired at officers discharging their duties over the recent weeks shows the complete disrespect and disregard for authority by some living among us. This will not deter law enforcement personnel from doing their jobs as they are trained to do. We will continue to protect life and property with utmost professionalism, the way we are trained to do. We as a community must stand firm against this kind of disrespect for law abiding citizens and law enforcement officers."
Querrard asked the community to help rein in violent offenders.
"I am again asking those of you who know those few individuals who are causing havoc in our community, to do the right thing, and say something before another life is lost," he said. "People must resort to the legal ways of addressing a difference of opinion. Unfortunately, some of us feel that the only way to resolve our differences is to go to the ultimate, using a firearm, as we have seen time and time again."
He also promised that law enforcement will keep a high profile during Carnival.
"As for the Carnival festivities, high visibility by law enforcement officers will continue. We have taken steps to increase their presence in those areas we know to be areas where situations have occurred in the past. We have also increased drastically the lighting in those areas. These steps will deter illegal activity, and will also ease the worry of those traversing through those areas."`
