A man identified by next of kin as 37-year-old Hector Castano Estrella Jr. was shot and killed Wednesday night in the Contant area of St. Thomas, according to the V.I. Police Department.
It was the sixth homicide on St. Thomas since the beginning of the year, the 13th in the territory.
At 10:12 p.m. Wednesday, the 911 call center received a report of shots fired in the area of Contant. Shortly thereafter, another caller reported that a man had sustained gunshot wounds and he was being transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center.
The hospital medical staff rendered aid to the victim, later identified as Estrella, but he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 10:51 p.m., the police said.
Police did not report details of the shooting as of Thursday morning.
The incident is under investigation by the Major Crime Unit.
Police urged anyone with information about the crime to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, the 911 call center, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS.)
