A 45-year-old man is the latest murder victim in the St Croix, the Virgin Islands Police Department has reported.

Police said Rusiel Encarnacion was shot multiple times in Whim, St Croix, on Monday evening, June 15, 2026.

According to authorities, the St Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received a ShotSpotter alert and multiple calls reporting gunfire in the area at around 6:04 pm, along with reports of a possible gunshot victim.

Officers from the Virgin Islands Police Department, Emergency Medical Services and other emergency personnel responded to the scene, where they found Encarnacion suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

He was transported by ambulance to the Juan F Luis Hospital for medical treatment but later died from his injuries. 

This incident took the territory’s murder toll to 18.

His identity was confirmed by family members.

The investigation remains ongoing.