CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man who survived an assassination attempt two years ago was shot dead in Contant last night.
Hector Castano Estrella, Jr., 37, of Charlotte Amalie sustained multiple gunshot wounds sometime before 911 dispatchers were alerted to shots fired at 10:12 p.m. on Wednesday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Castano Estrella was transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center for treatment, another concerned citizen reported.
“Upon arrival at Schneider Regional Medical Center the medical staff rendered aid to the victim but he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 10:51 p.m.,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said.
On March 9, 2017, police responding to reports of shots fired in the area of Altona and Welgunst discovered shell casings on the ground and a cache of weapons inside a Toyota Highlander parked in the area.
While inspecting the vehicle, officers found an AK-47 assault rifle and a 9 mm Glock pistol on the floor next to the front passenger seat. Each gun was loaded and officers also found a spare magazine on the front passenger seat in open view.
At the time, Castano Estrella told authorities someone opened fire on him, so he pulled out a gun and returned fire.
The homicide is currently under actives investigation by the VIPD’s Major Crimes Unit.
Surveillance footage from a camera near Discount Water at 178-88 Altona and Welgunst corroborated Estrella’s statement to police.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please call the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) at 340-774-2211, 911 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.