Passenger slain, driver injured in late-night St. Croix shooting
Published: November 1, 2012
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ST. CROIX - Police are investigating a late-night shooting Tuesday that claimed the life of one woman and wounded another woman.
Police spokeswoman Melody Rames said Wednesday that detectives with the Criminal Investigation Bureau are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of 28-year-old Winnelta Fredericks.
Residents notified police about 11:30 p.m. of a number of shots being fired in the Concordia and La Grange area of Frederiksted, according to V.I. Police spokeswoman Melody Rames.
Residents told officers responding to the call that a shooting victim was inside a car near William's Delight, police said. Officers went to that area, about three miles away, and found a car near William's Delight with Fredericks' body inside, police said.
Fredericks had multiple gunshot wounds and was unresponsive, and she was taken to Luis Hospital, where she was pronounced dead about 1:30 a.m., according to police. The car also was damaged by gunshots, police said.
Investigators have determined that Fredericks was a passenger in a car that was traveling in the Frederiksted area when unknown persons fired shots at the car, Rames said.
The driver of the vehicle, another female, had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment for a superficial bullet wound to her hand, police said.
Residents in the area reported to police that they heard more than a dozen shots discharged and that it may have been from more than one firearm, according to police.
Fredericks death was the territory's 51st homicide - including six vehicular homicides - in 2012. Of those homicides, 26 have occurred on St. Thomas, 24 have happened on St. Croix and one was on St. John.
Anyone with information can call detectives at 712-6037 or 712-6077 or the confidential tip line at Crime Stoppers USVI at
1-800-222-8477.
- Contact Fiona Stokes at 714-9149 or email fstokes@dailynews.vi.
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