FREDERIKSTED — Police are investigating reports of multiple shooting incidents that left one woman dead and four people injured on Friday night.
The 911 Emergency Call Center received multiple calls from concerned citizens of shots fired near the corner of King and Market Streets in downtown Frederiksted about 10:18 p.m. Friday.
Officers traveled to the location and found an adult female with a gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to the Juan Francisco Luis Hospital & Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries, the Virgin Islands Police Department said. The deceased was identified by her next of kin as 21-year-old Kadiyen Illidge of Sion Hill.
At around 11:49 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received notification of a gunshot victim at the Juan Francisco Luis Hospital with wounds to his mid-section. Officers continue to investigate this case, which is believed to be linked to the shooting incident on Main Street in Frederiksted.
At roughly 11:37 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received additional calls from the hospital regarding two more gunshot victims. Both men received gunshot wounds and were listed in stable condition.
The men stated they were in the vicinity of Corner Pocket Grillhouse and Nightclub in Kingshill when they were shot upon by an unknown assailant. Shortly after, at around 11:53 p.m., a male walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound, and told officers he was also in the vicinity of Corner Pocket when he was shot. He was listed in stable condition.
St. Croix Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe condemned these shooting incidents and stated, “We will use the Department’s resources in pursuit of justice for these victims.” Chief Elskoe extends condolences on behalf of the VIPD to the family of Kadiyen Illidge, who lost her life.
He encouraged everyone who saw what happened in these incidents to say something to police by calling 911, the Crime Tip Line at (340) 778-4950, or call Crime Stoppers USVI at 1 (800) 222-TIPS. The VIPD needs your information to solve these crimes quickly.
“Three young ladies dead within the last 90 days two within the last 30. They share one common theme. A Bullet! Wrong place at the wrong time; mistaken identity; or more importantly Innocent bystander,” Jelani Ritter said on Facebook. “I am not going to cast blame or point fingers at any One Government Organization or entity; however critical thinking is a key component of the learneth. In that instance I highly recommend that you put all creative minds and ideas together and materialize and strategize a resolution before paradise is truly lost. I often say its ok when the street like the sea purges itself but Take a look around! The Tide has Turned; as the recent victims are not of the street. We are losing a generation of young women and children right before our very eyes to a systemic problem our government cant or simply put Wont Address!. Our Police commissioner is from the ATF branch of the federal Government; almost half of our Law making body the senate consist of High ranking Former law enforcement officers to include former chiefs and commissioners. Yet still we can’t creatively combat crime specifically the infiltration of Automatic Weapons into our territory; to the point where it can be considered not safe to go out and purchase a plate of food.. (failure) yes I said it. Yall have FAILED the people of the Virgin Islands; specifically these Innocent victims. Many will claim and say the Virgin Islands already has some of the strictest Gun laws in the United States; yet crimes regarding guns are still among the most common here. The aforementioned groups has shown us their hand; it’s now up to “We The People”.. Law makers Do better!! Even if it’s not within you to do anything in the least say something.. The silence is deafening!”