Nov. 4, 2004 – Two males were shot to death in unrelated incidents on Wednesday evening on St. Croix. The only factors similar in the incidents are the intensity of the violence and the fact that no motive is readily apparent. In the second incident at least four other males, including an off-duty police officer, were wounded.
According to police reports, the first shooting occurred a little after 7 p.m. in the area of Estate Smithfield, Frederiksted. Police dispatch received reports of gunshots in the area and then learned that a male with injuries was on the balcony of a residence just off the Percy Gardine Avenue.
The victim, Shawn Alleyne, 19, was a resident of Lorraine Village Apartments, Estate Grove Place.
The police report he had suffered several gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital emergency room.
A police press release stated the following: "Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased drove to the residence … to pick up some food. He was in the vehicle at the entrance of the gated yard when he was accosted by armed assailant(s) who fired several shots at him. The victim ran into the yard and onto the porch of the dwelling where he was followed and shot. No weapon was recovered and the motive for this incident is unknown."
The second incident occurred about a half hour before midnight. Police dispatch received reports of an attempted robbery in progress and shooting at the FNA service station, vicinity of Sunny Isles. Police report that when officers responded they found inside the store a male who had suffered several gunshot wounds. The victim's name is being withheld until the next of kin is notified. He was 29 years old and was also pronounced dead at the Juan Luis Hospital emergency room.
The four other males wounded in this incident were 28-year-old Tyre Wilkes, who suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh; 24-year-old Tyrone Christiensen, who suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh; 23-year-old Allan Greenidge, who suffered a gunshot wound to his right thigh; and an off-duty police officer, who suffered a gunshot wound to the left calf. The officer was treated and released. Two others were also treated and released.
According to the police report preliminary investigation "revealed that two or more assailants, who wore dark clothing and masks, arrived at the FNA service station in a SUV-type vehicle. They exited the vehicle firing shots at individuals who were outside the station establishment and went into the store firing shots. There was no demand for money or anything else from the establishment or the wounded victims. The gas station attendant was unharmed during the firing of shots."
The report further stated that the off-duty officer was parked at the rear of the service station in the Diamond Crest Shopping area when he heard the gunfire and observed gunmen firing at someone running in his direction. Though wounded, the officer pursued the assailants but to no avail. A search of the area was made and a firearm was recovered.
Investigation into these incidents continues. The V.I. Police Department is appealing to the general public to call with any information that may assist in the investigation. The police number is 778-2211.
The police department's release said reward money is available for information "leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for these and other serious criminal acts."
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