Fake Victim Accidentally Shot Himself, Police Say

Two St. Croix men were under arrest Tuesday for separate alleged gun crimes.

One, police said, faked being the victim of a robbery after accidentally shooting himself while attempting to assault someone else. Serving a warrant, police broke down the door of another man — who was on probation after two separate June firearms convictions — to find yet another handgun, according to court records.

Johnny Taylor, 42, arrived at Juan F. Luis Hospital May 12 with a gunshot wound. He told detectives he had been shot and robbed by an unknown assailant, police said Tuesday.

Investigators found instead evidence that Taylor had attempted to assault someone else and accidentally shot himself, police said.

Taylor was charged Tuesday with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and related crimes.