Man Shot Dead in Whim; Another Wounded in Walter I.M. Hodge Area

A.J. Pike

St. Croix - Two separate shooting incidents on St. Croix left one man dead and another wounded and hospitalized.

On Monday, June 15, 2026, at around 6:04 pm, the St. Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received a ShotSpotter notification along with multiple calls that reported shots were fired in the Whim area and that there was a possible gunshot victim. 

The VIPD and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) along with other emergency personnel were dispatched to the area. When they arrived on the scene, they found a male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

The victim was immediately transported via ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital (JFL) for further medical treatment. During his stay in the ER, he succumbed to his injuries from the gunshot wounds. The deceased was identified by family members as 45-year old Rusiel Encarnacion. 

In a separate incident, on June 15, 2026, at around 6:53 am, the 911 Emergency Call Center received reports from concerned citizens regarding multiple shots fired in the Walter I.M. Hodge area, near the entrance to the community. 

Shortly thereafter, a gunshot victim arrived via private vehicle at JFL and was treated in the ER for his injuries. 

Officers responded to the scene and initiated an investigation of the shooting incident. At this time, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation. The man’s name has not been revealed. 

Anyone with information regarding either of these shooting incidents is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 911.