The US Virgin Islands’ murder toll climbed to 44 yesterday following the killing of a 39-year-old Ohio man on St Thomas.

The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) said it received a report at around 4:42 am from a woman who told officers that she and her friends were travelling along Hull Bay Road when they were chased and shot at by an individual in another vehicle.

The woman told police that one of her friends, later identified as Evan Haynes Jr, had sustained a gunshot wound and needed immediate medical assistance.

When emergency medical technicians arrived, they determined that Haynes had no vital signs and pronounced him dead.

The VIPD said the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist investigators to come forward.