Gang shootout kills tourist in U.S. Virgin Islands

I have family in ST Thomas, I'm very hurt about what I have read about that little girl. The man or boys who had fired that shot should be hung in public, cut up and feed to the dogs. if the people of the Virgin island dont stand up now. you will lose the the island and people will think second before travling there,,,,,,We must stop those dam gangs,,, they are a basted

what is the world coming to, here you are on vacation to have a good time and this beauitful island that God created. Im truly disappointed with those young brothers that pulled the trigger.These young man at the island need help,there are no jobs,they need to be in school, they need some activties in there life. Most of all those gangs must be stop. The criminals must be put to DEATH,, I have a daughter also, im truly hurt and feel sick to my stomach. I love St Thomas,,The people must save that island, if not St Thomas will lose money,life,spirit and God. get your act together.. God bless the police Department

I am so sad to hear of this. We used to love to vacation in the USVI. Crime has gotten so bad that we are afraid to visit the USVI. We have been robbed more than once while vacationing on St. John. My husband was followed and harassed by a local for no reason. He made the mistake of smiling and saying hello to the man. He was trying to be friendly. St. Thomas and St. Croix are even worse. The bars on the windows are a pretty good indicator of the safety of these areas.

I hope that one day these islands can become peaceful. We have high unemployment where I live, and very little entertainment for young people, but we do not have these high rates of crime. There is no excuse for this type of behavior. Such a beautiful place, but such a sad place. I hope that one day it will be under control. My heart goes out to the family of the 14 year old who was killed. Losing a child is the most devastating thing that a family can go through. I have been there, and believe me, I understand. My daughter would be 21 this year.

I also am sorry for the families of the gang members. They have lost their children as well, just in another way.

It's a shame that a young tourist was killed. Young people killing and getting killed over bullshit. Other tourist have been killed before in St.Thomas. Wake up people, the island is to small for this. Is this how we want to live? Welcome to our island paradise ):

Yet, when a business person offered to teach adolescents carpentry, welding, and other technical job skills they were turned down by the Property & Procurement Department when requesting if they would be able to obtain a piece of land to lease for this purpose.

There are more bars and drinking places on this tiny little island, video lottery terminals, and practically nothing constructive for adolescents to get involved in.

The Virgin Islands government really needs to do better for the children of the VI. It's an election year folks...remember that when you go to the polls!

Why does it always come down to the threat of the Media to protect the tourist. There have been so many crimes against tourists in the USVI. Yet it seems as though the only way the Govt will listen is if people (loved ones) threaten to go to the Media. This poor innocent child, my heart just breaks for this famiy. I am so sorry for their loss.

I agree to disagree with you... Do you only feel this way because it was a tourist? or Do you feel this way (hanging etc in public) with all the murderers? I'm not sure what is more upsetting... The fact that a precious Angel lost her life (RIP) over non-sense, the fact that everyone is this homicide any different that the 50plus the USVI had to date...... Truth be told, ST. Thomas the capital is much morre dangerous than the other islands, yet Tourism insist on making that the Tourist base port. 97% of St. Thomas crimes are brush under the rug as a cover up so visitors won't know.. The minute St. Croix or St. John has a crime it's the worst thing to report but you never hear about St. Thomas. Don't get me wrong... Crime is EVERYWHERE!! But to be such small islands St. Thomas crimes especially for it being a Tourist attraction is by far the worst... I can guarantee you if that princess was not a tourist... CNN would have never picked it up!! The media could have careless about us.... Every week another soul is gone.. Good or bad... their a son/daughter, father/mother, cousin/uncle/aunt etc to someone.. No one soul has a higher price than the other... Their so many unsolved crime in our islands and corrupted gov officials.... Where do we start? How do we as the people take control of our islands? Everyone is pointing the fingers and talking about many different issues and gangs etc. I read on one blog site, the borders this and that and the topic was about the Princess that was taken from her family and loved ones in such a short time during what was to be a celebration... and no one not ONCE mentioned the ARABS... who are taking over the islands slowly but surely.... which is soon to be Dubai... theor the one importing and smuggling all the supplies for our youths who don't have any activities what so ever to wake up too or work.. Hess lays off our locals and bring in the white people by the bus FULL.... on our Island....... where do we start? You think hanging those will solve our community issue? NOT BY FAR!!!!!

Gman wrote:

I have family in ST Thomas, I'm very hurt about what I have read about that little girl. The man or boys who had fired that shot should be hung in public, cut up and feed to the dogs. if the people of the Virgin island dont stand up now. you will lose the the island and people will think second before travling there,,,,,,We must stop those dam gangs,,, they are a basted

I soon will be coming to St Thomas to work as a musician and to help some friends update their property for the winter. In the summer I work in the states with inner city youth providing connections with busunesses and youth ages 14 to 20 to mentor youth into the work experience. Our motto is not of get rich quick but more of the enjoyment of working together as a team with positive mentors and supervisors. It works, or crime rate among this age group has diminished considerably. Our youth are the ones that can break this chain of violence with responsible adult supervision and the hand of God.

I have found a new job in my new home.