John McCarthy
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Police are investigating a shooting death of a VIWMA employee at the Bolongo dump site in St. Thomas this afternoon.
Daryn Hodge, 39, an employee of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) was positively identified by family members as the homicide victim, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received multiple calls of shots fired in the area of the Bolongo dump site at 3:36 p.m. today, according to the VIPD.
REST IN PEACE: Daryn R. Hodge, 39, on Facebook.
“VIPD Officers and Emergency Medical Technicians reported to the scene of the incident and found a black male individual lying lifeless,” VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
VIWMA Executive Director Roger Merritt Jr. expressed his “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of Hodge.
Merritt said Hodge was a sanitation tech in the Solid Waste Division of VIWMA when he “tragically lost his life due to gun violence while working.”
“Mr. Hodge was a valued employee and we are saddened that he will no longer be with us,” he said. “We pray for comfort and strength to get through these very difficult times.”
Meanwhile, people on St. Thomas who knew Hodge personally expressed grief, disbelief and shock over the news of their friend’s sudden death today.
“Ooommffggg!!!!! RIP Daryn Hodge , mehn I telling yo….coming to me like I’m saying RIP too often lately 
, DAMN!!” Priceless Phipps said on Facebook.
The investigation by police into this crime is ongoing.
