17-Year-Old Shot to death Near Grand View Housing in St. Thomas

The V.I. Police Department (VIPD) is currently investigating the tragic shooting of a 17-year-old boy in St. Thomas, occurring early Sunday near the Grand View Housing Community. This incident marks the 20th homicide in St. Thomas and the 36th overall in the U.S. Virgin Islands this year, continuing a concerning trend of violence impacting the territory’s youth.

At around 2:39 a.m. on Sunday, the VIPD’s Shot Spotter detection system reported multiple gunshots in the Grand View area, prompting officers to respond immediately. Upon arrival, they discovered a male victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Technicians were called to the scene, but sadly, the young man was unresponsive and showed no signs of life. Authorities later identified him as Kareem L. Pinney, aged 17, after notifying his family.

Police have not released further details on the motive or possible suspects in this case. However, the VIPD is actively seeking assistance from the community to piece together the circumstances that led to Pinney’s tragic death. The shooting has intensified concerns over the rising trend of homicides involving young individuals in the territory, especially in St. Thomas, where the violence has been most prevalent.

The VIPD urges anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Individuals who may have witnessed the shooting or have knowledge about it are encouraged to contact the department directly at (340) 774-2211. Additionally, tips can be provided to the Criminal Investigation Unit’s Major Crimes Division at (340) 714-9823, (340) 714-9828, or (340) 714-9829. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

As the investigation continues, officials emphasize the importance of community cooperation in addressing violence and ensuring safety. The incident has underscored an urgent need for solutions to the escalating issue of youth violence in St. Thomas, as community members mourn another life lost too soon.