A 42-year-old man was fatally shot on a Frederiksted area beach Monday, the V.I. Police Department reported.

It was the 17th homicide on St. Croix this year, the 32nd in the territory. The name of the deceased was not disclosed by police.

Police were notified of the incident at about 2:30 p.m. Monday when a woman called the the Wilbur Francis Command, Zone B at Estate Hannah’s Rest in Frederiksted.

The woman said she and her husband were swimming near the Target Wall beach, not far from the Vincent Mason Coral Beach Pool, when her husband got out of the water. The wife said she remained in the water for a while.

When she went to rejoin her husband, she found him unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound.

But when she contacted police, she told them she did not hear any gunshots and did not see people or vehicles in the area.

Members of the Major Crime and Criminal Investigation Bureau have classified this shooting as a murder and are actively investigating. Forensic technicians were on the scene searching for evidence.

The victim was removed from the scene by medical personnel.

Anyone with information about the murder can call detectives at 712-6075 or 712-6077, the 911 emergency call center, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.