Crime of the Week: Reward Offered in Homicide, Drug Manufacturing

The anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers USVI is offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest of the individual responsible for the shooting death of a St. Thomas firefighter in 2016 or individuals responsible for manufacturing and/or distributing drugs: cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana.

– According to the anonymous tip service, there have been confirmed deaths on St. Croix attributed to fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths.

– At approximately 7:39 p.m. Aug. 18, 2016, St. Thomas police responded to reports of shots fired in the vicinity of Emancipation Garden by the Fire Station. A preliminary investigation conducted by officers on the scene revealed that the victim, a firefighter identified as Gregory Louis, was sitting outside on a bench when an unknown suspect shot him in the back of the head.

Anyone with information on the Crime of the Week cases or any other crime can call Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS) or submit a tip online at www.P3tips.com or www.crimestoppersvi.org. Callers will be issued a confidential PIN and are encouraged to check back frequently for reward eligibility. Information that leads to the resolution of a crime can qualify the caller for an anonymous cash reward.