Murders Continue: Minor Shot Dead on STX, Total Homicides for 2026 Stands at 43
A.J. Pike
St. Croix - 17-year old Ky’janny Niles was murdered at around 9:00 pm on Thursday October 22, 2026, at the Walter I.M. Hodge Housing Community (aka Sofarelli) in Frederiksted, St. Croix. An 18-year old young man was also wounded in the shooting. Both victims were transported to JFL Emergency Room where Mr. Niles succumbed to his injuries. The second victim was treated and released.
VIPD and EMT personnel responded to the scene after the 911 Emergency Call Center received a notification from the VIPD’s Gunshot Detection Center which reported shots fired at the I.M. Hodge Housing Community shortly after 9 pm. Emergency dispatchers also received multiple calls reporting the two gunshot victims.
The killings brought the total of homicides on St. Croix to 26, while St. Thomas has reported 17. No homicides have been reported on St. John or Water Island. The total USVI homicides for 2026 now stands at 43, surpassing the 2025 total of 35 in the USVI. In 2025, there were 16 homicides on St. Croix; 19 on St. Thomas, which included 2 on St. John.
The CIB is investigating the murder of ky’janny Niles but has no motive or suspects at this time. Anyone with any information regarding these crimes or any other crimes on St. Croix or St. Thomas is urged to call 911, or the CIB at 340-778-2211 or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-8477 (TIPS).
