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ST. THOMAS, USVI (VI Consortium News) — Another drive-by shooting incident here on Sunday — the second in one week — left one man dead and a female victim in emergency surgery, The Consortium can confirm. The incident was later corroborated by V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte.

According to police, at about 12:17 a.m. today, the 911 emergency call center received a call of shots being fired in the area of Fort Milner. Upon arrival on the scene, officers met a four-door, beige-colored Toyota Corolla at the bottom of Raphune Hill. In the vehicle, police saw 34-year-old Jafari Samuel of Bergs Home, riddled with bullets. Also in the vehicle was 26-year-old Petra Tavernier, also of Bergs Home, who was shot multiple times as well.

Both victims were transported to the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital for treatment. Mr. Samuel succumbed to his injuries while Ms. Tavernier was being treated for her injuries in emergency surgery.

Sunday’s drive-by shooting is the second such incident in 7 days, the first resulting in the deaths of two victims, 21-year-old Shaki Alexander of Hidden Valley, and the second as Kerven Joseph, age 19. Police did not reveal the community in which Mr. Joseph lived.

 

The incidents follow restructuring efforts at the V.I.P.D., with Police Commissioner Delroy Richards dismissing former chiefs Arthur Hector, Sr. of St. Croix, and Darren Foy of St. Thomas. And it follows a nod of approval by Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter, who commended Mr. Richards for taking steps to disrupt violent crime in the territory.

 

The incident is under investigation by the Homicide Task Force, according to the V.I.P.D. Police are also asking people with knowledge of what took place to contact the task force at (340) 774-2211 extensions 5617 and 5554. You may also call 911, Crime Stoppers VI, the commissioner’s office at (340)715-5506 and the chief’s office at (340)715-5548.

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