CHRISTIANSTED — Four people, including one minor, have been shot in Estate Castle Coakley in the last 27 hours, authorities said. At least one person has been airlifted off island for treatment.
One unidentified man shot near Thomas Bakery on Saturday is dead, the Virgin Islands Police Department said. Two males and one female are currently being treated at the hospital for injuries they sustained in the shooting.
“The Virgin Islands Police Department is confirming that three persons were shot in Castle Coakley this morning,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “911 was notified of shots fired at 9:40 a.m.”
Derima said the two men and one woman are at the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center and being treated for “non-life-threatening injuries.”
The VIPD added after 2 p.m. today that it had discovered the spent shell casings that identify the area in Castle Coakley where the shooting took place.
The police investigation started at the hospital, where all three shooting victims were initially taken by private vehicle for treatment.
“All three victims, two males and one female, are in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries,” Derima said. “One of the victims is a minor, and one victim has to be airlifted for further medical treatment.”
There have been three homicides in the territory so far this year. Two murders have occurred in St. Croix and one in St. Thomas.
At least 2,132 people have read this article on the Virgin Islands Free Press’ Facebook platform today.
“Sounds like things are getting rough there with criminals having easier access to guns than the citizens,” Jeremy O’Sheal said. “Should change the laws like Puerto Rico did to allow concealed carry, and license reciprocation.”
Meanwhile, some readers wanted to take a wait-and-see attitude with the shocking news this Sunday morning.
“Wait until the V.I. Consortium confirms this news,” Genevieve, who works at Glass 2000 in Little Princess, St. Croix, said.
This case is currently under active investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).