CHRISTIANSTED — Eyewitnesses watched in horror as a St. Croix man was cold-bloodedly gunned down in the parking lot of a Gallows Bay bank shortly before the start of business today, authorities said.
Michael Anthony Cruz, 23, of Sion Farm, was shot multiple times and died in the Bank of St. Croix parking lot in Gallows Bay, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received a call of shots fired in Gallows Bay at 7:05 a.m. today, the VIPD said. At least four emergency vehicles were on the scene in less than 10 minutes, eyewitnesses said.
“Officers traveled to the area and found a Hispanic male with multiple gunshot wounds on the ground in the parking lot between two businesses,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
Emergency Medical Technicians on the scene made a check of the victim and concluded that he did not have any vital signs, Derima said.
Friends and family members expressed anguish to the Virgin Islands Free Press in relating the fact that Cruz was murdered on his birthday.
Cruz was arrested May 29, 2020 and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, according to police records.
Acting on a search warrant, the VIPD found two firearms, two magazines and additional ammunition in Cruz’s possession.
St. Croix Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe denounced this homicide.
“Yet another family is dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to gun violence at such a young age. I am appealing to the young men in this community to put the guns down,” Chief Elskoe said.
There is evidence that indicates that people witnessed the shooting incident this morning, police said.
Although a suspect was charged this week, police are still seeking more information about Cruz’s murder.
You can contact police at: 911, the Crime Tip Line at (340) 778-4950, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-8477, where your tip can earn you a money reward.
Rajah E. Caul, 23, of Company Street, Christiansted was arrested on Friday January 15 and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Cruz, according to the VIPD.