Jan. 25, 2002 – An off-duty police officer shot and killed a 25-year-old man Thursday on St. Croix after the victim allegedly trespassed onto the officer's property.
Kirby Charles, 25, died at about 2 p.m. after being shot in the chest by the officer, whose identity has not been released. The shot was fired outside the officer's Campo Rico home, Police Chief Novelle Francis said.
According to police, the shooting occurred after the officer approached Charles and the two began fighting. Witnesses told police several shots were fired as the pair fought. Charles died from a single gunshot to the chest. The officer was taken to Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and released.
Police officials said the officer has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated by the Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit and Criminal Investigation Bureau.