CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix woman getting ready to leave for work was struck by a stray bullet inside her home as warring drug factions shot at each other early this morning.
The 911 Emergency Call Center was notified of female gunshot victim in the Castle Coakley – Peter’s Rest area near Sunny Isle at 8:10 a.m. today, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Further information coming to police revealed that occupants in a vehicle were shooting after occupants in another vehicle in the immediate area, and a stray bullet struck the female through a window in her home,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “She was found by a relative who called 911.”
The victim, identified by next of kin as 46-year-old Stacie Schjang, died at the scene, according to Derima.
Police Commissioner Designee Ray A. Martinez offered condolences to Ms. Schjang’s family on her unfortunate death. Martinez also sent a stern message to the persons who continue to be on the wrong side of the law:
“We are coming to get you,” he said. “We are going to increase our actions on the smallest of incidents to make sure you understand that this gun violence has to stop.”
Commissioner Martinez also announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
People poured out their hearts today on social media after hearing about the senseless killing of Stacie.
“Ooh my sweet Stacie Schjang, you loved a good story time with me, I literally could of called you at anytime to run long jokes,” Shanice Marie said. “I promised you I was gonna come see you next month. I love you soooooo much big cuz. My heart is so shattered, this doesn’t even make sense… Not my Stacie.”
“It is numbing, the senseless loss of life, a person with a beautiful spirit and who was well-loved (sad emoji, crying emoji),” St. Croix Senator Genevieve Whitaker said. “My deepest condolences are to the entire family circle of Stacie Schjang and her friends.”
People in the St. Croix community said Schjang worked at the Lottery office in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center.
Detectives are asking the community for information to help solve this crime. If you have information, please call 911, the Crime Tip Line at (340) 778-4950, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS or online at p3tips.com.