May 8, 2003 – Police have identified the elderly man shot to death in his Estate Thomas home Wednesday night as Richard Eman Smith. He was 93.
According to a Police Department release, Smith was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest. Police continue to believe that the bullet was not intended for Smith who, according to sources was watching television with his wife when he was struck and killed.
Investigators are "trying to determine the reason(s) for the shooting and if anyone was being shot at in the area," the release stated. "It is unclear whether or not someone was shooting at Mr. Smith's home, or if someone was shooting at a person or persons on the street."
Smith's death is the 10th homicide this year on St. Thomas, and the 13th in the territory.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting or any other crime incident to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 774-2211 or 774-4050, the Major Crime Unit at 774-2196, or the Crime Line at 777-8711. All information is kept confidential, the release said.
