FREDERIKSTED SHOOTING KILLS TEEN, INJURES ANOTHER; USVI HOMICIDE TOLL REACHES 43

Gunfire at the Walter I.M. Hodge Housing Community in Frederiksted claimed the life of a 17-year-old Thursday night, pushing the U.S. Virgin Islands' 2026 homicide count to 43.

Ky'janny Niles was identified by his next of kin as the victim, the police communications director said. A second person, an 18-year-old male whose name has not been released, sustained injuries in the same incident and received treatment at Juan F. Luis Hospital in stable condition.

The Gunshot Detection Center alerted the 911 Emergency Call Center at around 9:07 p.m. on October 22, with multiple callers also reporting gunfire. Officers, paramedics and firefighters responded to the scene at Sofarelli, as the housing complex is also known, and transported both victims to the hospital. Niles died despite receiving medical care.

St. Croix now accounts for 26 of the territory's homicides this year. St. Thomas has recorded 17 killings; St. John has had none.

The shooting occurred just 48 hours after another fatal incident on the island. On Tuesday morning, 24-year-old Jahmarie Warden was discovered unresponsive in Old Fredensborg near a bullet-damaged vehicle. His death, combined with confirmation that a man shot critically in Profit Hills on October 1 subsequently died, had brought the count to 42 before Thursday night's killing.

The housing community has been the site of multiple violent incidents. In mid-June, police responded to reports of gunshots near the complex's entrance; a victim later arrived at the hospital by private transport. On October 25, 2024, 19-year-old Errol Stephen St. Jean was fatally shot in the head there. Two men, Carlos Ayala and Casey Rivera, later turned themselves in to authorities in connection with that death.

Young people have been disproportionately affected by the territory's gun violence. In June, 15-year-old Tre'Vante Etienne was shot multiple times in the Vester Gade area of St. Thomas and died at Schneider Regional Medical Center.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating Thursday's shooting. Police have not released details about what sparked the violence or identified any suspects. The public can provide information to the bureau at 340-778-2211, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by calling 911.