A man told police he was shot during the wee hours of Wednesday morning, January 11, 2023, in the area of Frenchman's Reef while urinating on the side of the road, the [US] Virgin Islands Police Department has announced. Photo: Getty Images

According to VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte, on Wednesday at 2:38 a.m., the 911 Emergency Center was notified of a gunshot victim at the Schneider Regional Medical Center. An officer was notified and traveled to investigate the matter. 

Upon arrival to the hospital, contact was made with a Black adult male who had injuries to his right hand. The victim was coherent and he provided the officer with a statement. He said he was on his way home when he decided to stop on the side of the roadway to urinate. However, just before he was finished, he observed a black SUV driving past when someone from the SUV — which never stopped — fired several gunshots from the rear driver's side window. 

The victim said he immediately threw his hands up and he later observed that was shot in the hand. The victim was driven to SRMC in a private vehicle.

According to the VIPD, an investigation revealed that the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the right-hand causing injury to his thumb and middle finger.

The incident is currently under investigation, the V.I.P.D. said. The police force is asking anyone with information about this shooting to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211 ex. 5576/5572. You may also contact 911, Crime Stoppers USVI here, the Chief's Office at 340-715-5548, or the Commissioner’s Office at 340-715-5506.