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Police identify USVI men murdered in Friday shootings

August 27th, 2017 | Tags: VIPD shooting murder Jensen Esptan Randy Tang Yuk
Jensen Esptan, 24 and Randy Tang Yuk, 19 were identified as the two men that were murdered during Friday night shootings. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

CHRISTIANSTED, St Croix, USVI - Police on Saturday August 26, 2017 revealed the identities of two men murdered in separate shooting incidents Friday August 25, 2017 on St Croix. The deceased victim of the first incident, which occurred in Old Fredensborg near the Kingshill Cemetery and adjacent to the Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, has been identified as 24-year-old Jensen Esptan.

The deceased victim of the second incident, which occurred at the Mutual Homes Housing Community, has been identified as 19-year-old Randy Tang Yuk.

According to Police Commissioner, Delroy Richards, at around 10:30 P.M. on Friday, the 911 emergency call center was notified of gunshots being discharged in Old Fredensborg.

Upon arrival to the scene, police met two victims with gunshot wounds about their bodies, one who was injured but alive, and another who was found lifeless. The deceased, 24, was pronounced dead on the scene. The man who survived is said to be 41 years old, according to the commissioner.

“A weapon was recovered on the scene and we’re still investigation the incident,” Mr. Richards told The Consortium Saturday morning.

Then, at about 11:41 P.M., police received another report from the 911 emergency call center of a barrage of gunfire being discharged in the Mutual Homes Housing Community in Grove. Mr. Richards said because officers were already patrolling the area, they immediately responded to the scene.

Upon officers arrival, a lifeless male was found on the ground. He was transported to the morgue at the Juan F. Luis Hospital. Moments later, police received notification that two victims had arrived at JFL’s emergency room by private vehicle from the Mutual Homes incident - one who was being treated for gunshot wounds to the back, while the other individual said he stumbled and hurt his knee while attempting to flee the gun violence.

Mr. Richards said two guns were recovered on the scene in Mutual Homes. However, there were multiple shell casings, some from handguns and others from what the commissioner described as a “high-power weapon; could be an AK-47, could be something else, but it’s a high-power weapon,” he said.

Residents took to social media last night, some stating that they were already asleep and were awoken by the rapid gunfire in Mutual Homes. Mr. Richards said the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) heightened patrol in Mutual Homes after the body of Lyana Serieux, who was buried along with her two sons on Thursday, was found in the cistern of an abandoned building immediately behind the housing community. The reason for the heightened patrol according to Mr. Richards, was because police were expecting a surge of retaliatory violence.

But he said none of the recent shooting incidents in the housing community, including last night’s, appeared to be tied to the deaths of the Serieuxs, which the VIPD is actively investigating.

“I have not seen any correlation to the incident with the three individuals that were found deceased,” Mr. Richards said, referring to the Ms. Serieux and her two sons, Jordan, 10, and Jeremiah, 5. “I don’t really see any connection. A lot of folks traveling to Mutual Homes either to visit friends or to settle scores, but we have not linked it to that case.”

“We have stepped up patrols in the area; I believe we were there almost immediately once the shots fired,” Mr. Richards said referring to Mutual Homes. “There were several vehicles that we stopped leaving the Mutual Homes area. There are several folks we’re questioning relating to this case, but we have not made an arrest.”

In the release issued this afternoon, Territorial Police Chief, Winsbut McFarland said, “I am sending my condolences to friends and family members of the victims, we are doing everything in our power to bring these perpetrators to justice. This must not continue; we are all stakeholders in this territory and effective partnership between the community and law enforcement is essential in fighting crime.”

The chief is asking anyone with information about the incident to call him directly at 340-712 -6043. You may also contact Crime Stoppers USVI, where your tip remains anonymous.

7 Responses to “Police identify USVI men murdered in Friday shootings”

  • ................ (27/08/2017, 20:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gun city
  • black on black crimes (27/08/2017, 21:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    BLACK PEOPLE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GONE MAD
  • west (27/08/2017, 22:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    a lot of those gun crimes committed on the streets are actually carried out with licensed firearms. And we wonder crime has overwhelmed us.
  • rock city (27/08/2017, 23:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    First, make sure the fines and sentences are hefty for those who take other people life
  • matt (28/08/2017, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No wonder our sisters can't find husbands. To much worthless vagabonds.
  • Gilbert (28/08/2017, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The death penalty need to come down to the Virgin Islands. I bet these youngsters would think twice, before committing a crime.
  • Other side (16/09/2017, 08:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about those who have the people's trust ,will you put them away for life. Because they embezzled and fraud they way in and out of gov., and rewared with another bigger job in gov. Double standard society.


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