USVI records homicides #26 and 27 in one weekend

USVI – The USVI recorded the territory’s 26th and 27th homicides for 2008 when two men were shot to death over the weekend in unrelated incidents.

On Sunday at about 10:30 p.m., Manassa Caines of Thomasville, St. Thomas was found unresponsive outside his home in the community's parking lot. The 70-year-old man had several gunshot wounds about his body and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a Police spokesperson, Caines was the hapless victim of a botched robbery attempt. The police official said witness reported that they heard an exchange of words when Caines declared he had no money and asked to be left alone. Following this, they reportedly heard several gunshots ring out and called the police.

Up until yesterday, Police had yet to make any arrests in the case. Caines death was the 16th recorded homicide on St. Thomas so far this year.

On neighboring St. Croix, 30-year-old Shada Mustafa lost his life to gun violence in the early hours of Monday when at about 1:45 a.m. he was found lying in his front yard suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. ~~Adz:Right~~

According to police officials, the William's Delight man was discovered by police and EMTs after a woman called in a report that her son had been shot.

Despite being whisked to Luis Hospital, Mustafa was pronounced dead sometime after 4 a.m., a police source said.

Although robbery was the suspected motive, police did not confirm this, saying only that no arrests had been made as of Monday. Mustafa was the owner of a food establishment located in the Villa La Reine Shopping Center and had just returned home when the incident occurred.

His death brings St. Croix’s 2008 homicide toll to 11.

Mustafa's shooting followed closely on the heels of last week’s shooting death of Roy Marshall of Castle Burke, St. Croix, who was reportedly struck by multiple gunshots when unknown assailants opened fire on his vehicle just before midnight on Aug 10.

The murders of both Mustafa and Marshall are being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Bureau and persons with any information are asked to contact the police at 1-340-778-2211.