VI CONSORTIUM is reporting that a 21-year-old St. Thomian was fatally shot near the McDonald’s Restaurant in the Wheatley Shopping Center in St Thomas, USVI on Sunday May 22, 2016. Photo: VI CONSORTIUM

According to Ms. Freeman, at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to reports of shots being fired in the shopping center.

The officers then made their way to the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital and met with the victim — Vershawn Monsanto of the Paul M. Pearson Garden Housing Community — who was unable to communicate with officers because of the severity of his injury.

Mr. Vershawn sustained a single gunshot wound to the right side of his chest that exited through his back, according to Ms. Freeman. He was rushed into surgery but physicians were unable to save his life. He died at roughly 4:32 p.m. the same day.

The crime scene was later identified and processed by the Forensic Unit.

This case is presently under investigation by the Homicide Task Force. Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Task Force at (340)774-2211 at extensions 5617 and 5554. They can also call 911, Crime stoppers VI, the Commissioner’s Office at (340)715-5506 and the Chief’s Office at (340)715-5548.