Fatal Shooting on STT Highway; USVI 2026 Total Murders 33
- Aug 28
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 29
A.J. Pike
St. Thomas - The VIPD is investigating a fatal shooting on St. Thomas that occurred during the early morning hours of Thursday, August 27, 2026.
At around 2:50 am, the VIPD’s gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, alerted the 911 Emergency Call Center to multiple shots being fired on Judy M. Gomez Highway in St. Thomas. Shortly thereafter, a concerned citizen reported a vehicle that had struck a wall and that an unresponsive male was inside.
Responding Officers arrived on the scene and observed an unresponsive male who appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Emergency Medical Technicians also arrived on the scene and determined that the victim showed no signs of life.
Contact was made with the next of kin, who positively identified the deceased as 21-year old Gerell L. Reed.
The VIPD investigation remains active and ongoing.
Mr. Reed’s death marks the 33rd homicide in the Territory this year, with 15 murders on St. Thomas and 18 on St. Croix. There were a total of 36 homicides recorded in the USVI for 2025.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact 911, the CIB at 340-774-2211 ext 5555/5556, or 340-714-9830. Also contact Crime Stoppers VI anonymously at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), or the Chief of Police Office at 340-715-5548, or the Commissioner of Police Office at 340-715-5506.
