The Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Virgin Islands Police Department is investigating the homicide of Mr. Julius Cupid, a 20-year-old resident of St. Croix. Mr. Cupid is the victim of a shooting incident that occurred on St. Croix in the early evening hours of Saturday, October 21, 2006.

Preliminary police reports indicate that at approximately 6:20 p.m., officers assigned to the Wilbur Francis Command were dispatched to a shooting incident in the Aureo Diaz Housing Community in the vicinity of Building #15. Police responding to the scene discovered a black male lying across the railing of a second floor apartment, appearing to be bleeding from the lower portion of his face and appeared to be unresponsive. The victim sustained what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the lower face. He was transported by ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital where he died from his injuries and pronounced at approximately 7:20 p.m.

Police are investigating reports that Mr. Cupid was allegedly involved in a verbal argument with a family member, which became physical leading to him suffering a gun shot wound to the face.

According to information provided by witnesses, the alleged perpetrator was named to be a Mr. Randy Burke, (aka Asha) a 27 year-old male resident of St. Croix. He is described as being a light complexion black male, approximately 5’10” in height, weight approximately 150, brown eyes and hair style in locks, which is black. He was last seen fleeing the Aureo Diaz Heights area in a vehicle. The perpetrator is considered to be armed and dangerous. He is known to be Aureo Diaz Heights Area and Mutual Homes Housing Community. Anyone with information regarding where this suspect might be located, please contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau in St. Croix at 778-2211, Extension 6031 – 6039 or 6082.

Police urge anyone having information on this incident or other crimes to contact the Investigations Bureau’s Crime hotline at 778-4950 or Emergency 911. All information provided to the police will be held in confidence.