FREDERIKSTED — Police said Humberto Martinez died when he tried to retaliate for the killing of his brother earlier in the day.
Police Commissioner Delroy Richards Sr. held a press conference at 2 p.m. today in which he described Martinez — the brother of 24-year-old Roland Bogan — as one of three suspects who exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group of men near the Frederiksted Vegetable Market on Thursday night.
Bogan had been shot dead near Marley Homes in Estate Two Brothers shortly before 5:35 a.m. Thursday.
Martinez’s actions — and those of his unnamed two accomplices — led to six people being shot at the vegetable market. Martinez himself died during the shootout he began. Also killed was Albertus Baptist, 66, who was “a bystander, Richards said.
At least four people were injured in the shooting, but their medical conditions were not immediately known. But police said that some had suffered “minor” injuries and some had suffered “serious” injuries.
Governor-Elect Albert Bryan Jr. had this to say about the recent spate of violence on St. Croix.
“The recent wave of gun violence in our Virgin Islands community is intolerable,” Bryan said. “We are at a crisis point and can no longer afford to look the other way. While I ask you to join me in prayer for peace and for the families and their loved ones affected, especially during the holiday season.”
The 911 Emergency Call Center received calls starting at about 9:05 p.m. Thursday of multiple shooting victims in the Frederiksted Vegetable Market.
All of the surviving victims were taken to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment.
The Criminal Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with information to contact the CIB at 340-778-2211 Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477 or 911.
DIED NEAR MARLEY HOMES: Roland Bogan, 24. His brother Humberto Martinez, 32, died later Thursday.
I am do sorry to hear about gun biolence in the VI which I attribute to both economic hardship and underemployment for youth as well as the gun culture which goes unchecked here on US mainland. I lived and my mother taught on St Croix during the 1970s when similar gun violence twisted the beautiful culture and values of Crucian life i to one of high vigilance and fear. Then it was against the priviledged, now it appears to be turned on itself, against ones own brother. Guns cause gun deaths, despite what NRA proponants believe. I beg the VI govt to implement new targeted leadership to protect society with tolerance, when children and other innocents are in the line of fire. Society erupts into chaos when a few are allowed execution rights…especially on a small unprotected island, where can one go for safety?
Polly Ducey, CSW, LMSW