St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On October 9, 2023, at approximately 12:10 a.m., 911 Emergency Call Center received reports of shots fired near the VIPR festival, which was held at the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agricultural Complex. Officers were notified that the victim was being transported to the hospital via a private vehicle. Upon officers’ arrival at the hospital, they observed an adult male in the trauma room being treated for a gunshot wound to his right hip.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was standing by his vehicle with his girlfriend and infant child when they were approached by a black male who wore a red mask demanding their belongings at gunpoint. The victim was able to punch the male, causing him to fall to the ground, however the perpetrator pointed a gun at the victim and fired a single shot which struck him in the hip area. As the perpetrator was fleeing the area, he fired another shot at the victim.

While officers were at the hospital, another male walked in with a gunshot wound to his foot area. The male stated that he was struck by a bullet while walking to his vehicle which was parked in the eastern parking lot at the Agricultural Complex. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the leg that exited his heel.

Investigation continues into this matter. Anyone with information can call 911, CIB Tipline at (340) 778-4950 or Crime Stopper V.I. at 1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS).