Oh No, Not Again
I wonder how the national media will handle this one. And if it will have an effect on our economy similar to the fallout from the Fountain Valley massacre in the early 70’s.
Very early this morning, 5 masked gunmen entered our Juan F. Luis Hospital, tied up a security guard, “threatened maintenance workers” and proceeded to a patient’s room, where they shot and killed him. The patient was recovering from gunshot wounds.
At first, this may seem like a terrorist attack similar to others we have heard about. But if we think about it, it appears more likely to be a gang killing. The perpetrators went into the hospital and finished a job they botched up the first time. They didn’t harm or kill anyone else. Period.
I’m no more afraid of living here than I was yesterday or last week or 5 years ago. Stuff like this happens everywhere, all the time. The lax security at the hospital however, is a concern, but it will be no longer. I’m sure they’ll beef up security so that it never happens again. But, as usual, it’s too late for St. Croix.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I hadn’t read about this- I didn’t get out to buy the paper- also had no media shower in the house today.
This is right out of the Godfather and these boys play for keeps.
Even beefing up security ( what would they do- put a Bradley fighting vehicle in the front door ? ) would likely not have altered the situation.
Funny that the bad press about the young woman missing and presumed dead in Aruba didn’t seem to tarnish their image.
You’re right- let’s see how this makes sensational news somewhere.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
It wasn’t in the printed media yet, Bonnie, only the Source.
And Roger Morgan’s show is where I first heard about it.
Sickening….
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:56 am
Really not much worse than Charlotte. We have murders almost daily.
You’ve got to admire their work ethic and willingness to get the job done.
Someone was most likely promising them death if they didn’t finish off that fellow. Another one out of the DNA pool.
These thugs will always kill…
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:04 am
Just so you think I’m not exaggerating take a look…
http://www.crimeincharlotte.com/
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:27 am
Wreg- you are succinct and so to the point. And correct!
Kelly said the same thing= this stuff happens everywhere.
It’s already made the International Herald Tribune in France ( they’re not coming here anyway ) and the Caribbean News in Jackson Heights Queens NY- probably per capita the biggest coke dealing neighborhood anywhere, so I think it’s safe to say our image isn’t damaged.
And anyway, borrowing some sardonic perspectives from Wreg- soon you won’t be able to fly here without 3 stops, two days, and $50 extra for bag check-in so it doesn’t matter what public opinion is!
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
True…off topic Bonnie but I’m coming down in two weeks with a one stop scheduled in Miami. The odds are I’ll get rerouted to PR or St Thomas. They always loose a bag in PR.
Gigi said this morning Thank God we have most of our toiletries in a duffel bag in STX already.
And please don’t tell Gigi….I figured out yesterday that I have visited your island 3 times in the last 9 months. I like the 90 day rotation.
Anyway…let’s get back to murder talk.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Here’s something interesting. Both articles I’ve seen this morning from the AP come out of Charlotte Amalie, USVI.
That’s okay.
Wow! There’s an entire website about crime in Charlotte. Crazy!
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Larger population equals bigger crime statistics.
They are in their own league in STT.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I like the 90 day rotation thing, Wreg. So next time will be….September again? Sounds good to me.
Let’s try not to poison Gigi this time.
And isn’t it interesting, Bonnie, how Charlotte NC, (where they have all that crime) and Charlotte Amalie, STT have that in common?
May 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Just spent a week in St. Croix. had a wonderful time. stayed at the Divi Carina Bay Resort
The “murder/assasination at the hospital” story appeared in both local newspapers and was covered well. It was obviously gang related.
Our hotel, the Divi was very clean, the service was pretty good. Sheets changed daily and floors mopped daily also. the dining area service was very slooow! Coffee machine electric plug not working, ceiling fan made awful noise.
The ping pong and the pool table were broken. All ocean type rentals, like paddle boats, kajaks, ect. were available, Kizzy, the attendant was extremely friendly and very helpful..
Christiansted was very clean for an island community, with several waterfront pubs/restaurants. Rum Runner had good food and is located on the water. Crabs come begging for food sometimes — quite cute!!
Dugans restaurant, outside Christiansted, on the water, near the golf course was excellent, best of all!!!!
The “other town” Frederikssted was very disappointing. we felt very unsure of may be being mugged. Too many bums hanging everywhere. I’ve lived eleven years in Africa. Angola, Mombasa, Maputo, etc. I felt safer in Africa. A huge police presence (50 or so cops) in Fredrikssted all huddled together at their head quarters told me that even they don’t want to run into trouble.
all in all St. croix is beautiful. Just stay on the east side of the island and have fun
May 30th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Too bad you didn’t have fun in Frederiksted. It’s just a little slow there until the cruise ships come back and/or the resort/casino gets built. We were there a couple of times in the past couple of months, see: Allez a l’ouest….. and Sunset Jazz…, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely both times.
You just have to know where to go. It’s always best to check with your island bloggers with any questions
…
June 9th, 2008 at 7:45 am
May 21, on the train to Chicago, the complimentary USA Today had an article from the Territories: US Virgin Islands, St. Croix. Knew that the “Home of the Grass Roots” gang was following thru on the ongoing vendettas. There had been a shooting in Catherine’s Rest before we left.
The article didn’t bring up Fountain Valley…
but it was very short.