CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The 59-year-old St. Thomas man who lost his life in a hail of bullets at Coki Point beach last night — suffered the loss of his son to a shooting death about two years ago.
Delroy A. Venzen, Jr. 33, was one of four men shot on December 27, 2020 in Smith Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Police Department records show.
Delroy A. Venzen, Sr. 59, was shot dead at Coki Point beach shortly before 10:04 p.m. Thursday, according to the VIPD.
Venzen Junior died at Schneider Regional Medical Center just four days after he being shot in the abdomen in Smith Bay while fighting a Black male.
Police said three other victims arrived at Schneider Hospital shortly after Venzen, each claiming they were not involved in a fight when shot. None of the victims had any knowledge of who may have fired at them. The other victims were listed in stable condition.
At the time — Venzen Junior’s death was the 47th gun-related homicide in the territory — and the final homicide of 2020.
Ironically, Venzen Senior’s death was nearly the first homicide of 2023 for the U.S. Virgin Islands — but instead came with four days of being the first this year.