Press Release

Police Investigating Shooting Death in Gallows Bay

ST. CROIX, USVI – On January 12 at approximately 7:05 a.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call of shots fired in Gallows Bay. Officers traveled to the area and found a Hispanic male with multiple gunshot wounds on the ground in the parking lot between two businesses. Emergency Medical Technicians on the scene made a check of the victim and concluded that he did not have any vital signs. The victim was identified by family members as 23-year-old Michael Cruz of Sion Farm.

Officers from the VIPD and personnel from the Office of the Medical Examiner in Gallows Bay, where 23-year-old Michael Cruz of Sion Farm was shot and killed. [VIPD Photo by Toby Derima]

St. Croix Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe denounced this homicide. “Yet another family is dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to gun violence at such a young age. I am appealing to the young men in this community to put the guns down,” Chief Elskoe said.

There is evidence that shows that people witnessed the shooting incident today. If you are one of those people, you are urged to contact police by calling 911, the Crime TipLine at (340) 778-4950, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers USVI, where your tip can earn you a reward.

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