St. Thomas, USVI - In a cooperative effort of various law enforcement agencies on St. Thomas, two suspects were captured and police confiscated two illegal firearms following a chase and exchange of gunfire. A female motorist passing by the area was wounded in the leg by gunfire.

According to police, about 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, an off duty police officer followed a suspicious vehicle with four persons inside after hearing shots being fired in the area of Oswald Harris Court community housing. As the officer, who is assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA), alerted 911 another off duty K-9 officer also began following the suspicious vehicle.

A police unit joined the chase near Fort Mylner, and occupants of the vehicle opened fire on police. A vehicle operated by female driving by the area was struck by at least one gunshot that pierced the door and struck her in the leg.  She was taken to the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Hospital for treatment. Commissioner James H. McCall said Saturday “at this time we don’t believe the wound is life threatening.”

The suspects abandoned the vehicle in the Brookman Road area and fled on foot with police in pursuit. The suspects again opened fire on police. A police car was struck on the overhead bar by gunfire. Police captured two suspects and confiscated two weapons. The remaining suspects are being actively sought by police. No officers were injured during the chase and capture.

Commissioner McCall commended the officers for their “heroic actions in the face of gunfire.” The search for the suspects was coordinated by Deputy Chief Dwayne DeGraff and included law enforcement officers from all agencies, McCall said. DPNR, Taxi Enforcement, Lottery, Health and U.S. Marshall peace officers joined with Police Chief Rodney F. Querrard, Sr. other VIPD officers and HIDTA to pursue and capture these suspects, the commissioner said. “This was a great cooperative effort of all law enforcement agencies on St. Thomas.”

Police are asking anyone who has any information regarding this shooting to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 715-5522 or 715-5514, the police chief's office at 715-5548, 911, or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.