The area near the Aureo Diaz basketball court in St Croix, US Virgin Islands where the shooting took place on May 18, 2016. Photo: VIC

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI — An assailant who police have identified as a minor, leaped out of some bushes located near the Aureo Diaz basketball court in St Croix, US Virgin Islands and started firing shots at two male victims injuring both of them on May 18, 2016, the [US] Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) has revealed.

Police sources tell The Consortium that the minor, who was in an argument with the victims, left and returned armed.

According to a press release issued by Glen Dratte, the force’s latest public information officer, the 911 emergency call center received notification of the incident at approximately 12:08 p.m. of shots that had been fired in the vicinity of Aureo Diaz Housing Community’s basketball court.

The incident immediately triggered a lockdown of Elena Christian Junior High School, which is temporarily located near the housing community, according to ECJH Principal Carlos McGregor. The principal said the students were having lunch when rapid gunfire suddenly rattled the area, and the school’s faculty scrambled to ensure that all students were safe. Mr. McGregor received clearance to ease lockdown protocols at approximately 1:05 p.m. on Wednesday May 18, 2016, The Consortium can confirm.

Upon arrival on the scene, a Consortium reporter saw officers near building 1 of the housing community, which is across the [US] Virgin Islands Housing Authority building, conducting investigations. The victims were transported to the hospital via private vehicle, according to people on the scene. Mr. Dratte said the victims are currently being treated for gunshot wounds.

Parents who heard of the incident hustled to the school, concerned that yet another incident had petrified their children. Today’s incident marks the second shooting in three months that occurred near the junior high school. The first incident happened in February, when three men were injured from gunfire.

The shooting is currently under investigation, but police have a solid lead on the suspect. They are, however, asking anyone with more information to contact Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-712-6024 / 712-6037, 911 or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.