Please Help Nigel Crosby Jr., A Victim of Gun Violence

Blessings All and my sincere thanks to each of you for taking the time to navigate to this page and for whatever assistance your heart may lead you to give.

On Wednesday, January 31st, Nigel Crosby Jr., was the victim of gun violence on a roadway near the entrance to Questa Verde on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Nigel was shot at point-blank range once in the face and also in the back. He was rushed by ambulance to the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center on St. Croix, where he was stabilized by doctors there, only to be subsequently airlifted off the island due to the severity of his injuries. On Friday, February 2nd, Nigel was transported by air ambulance to the George Washington University Hospital (GW) in Washington, DC for critical medical care.

Evaluation by the surgical team at GW found that the bullet that went through his face had shattered his jawbone and lodged under his left ear. They deemed it too close in proximity to his spine and critical nerves and opted not to remove it at that time.

They performed surgery that same day to set his facial fractures and to wire his jaw shut for approximately seven weeks so that his jawbone could have an opportunity to heal. Nigel was restricted to a liquid diet for that entire period. The second bullet that went through his back had apparently traveled into his upper trapezoid muscle (close to his shoulder blade) and remains lodged there.

After an eventual discharge from GW Hospital, Nigel began rounds of intense physical and occupational rehabilitative therapy at Howard University Hospital, (HUH). Nigel’s motor skills have been affected by the wounds he sustained, causing him to have an unsteady gait and he occasionally has to rely on a cane for balance and to navigate walking. He has also sustained nerve damage to his face, leaving the left side paralyzed, and after various rounds of diagnostic testing and Nigel’s input, it was discovered that he has hearing loss in both ears. We’re hopeful that therapy will eventually return him to his full, active capacity.

On March 13th, a surgeon from GWU removed the wires from Nigel’s jaws, allowing him to eat solid foods for the first time since the shooting. Then on April 8th, he was again operated on to have the metal rigging removed that was embedded in his gums to support wiring his jaws shut. The surgeon recommended at that time for Nigel to consult with an Oral Surgeon to have his mis-aligned jaws corrected in an additional surgery. Our hope and prayers are that with the passage of time and possibly additional physical therapy, we will see a return of Nigel’s beautiful smile and deep dimple to his left cheek.

Mr. Titanium: Our Father is a Divine Architect and we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Over and over again, we’ve received confirmation of this with respect to Nigel and his present circumstance. Observing Nigel’s gunshots and the resulting injuries he sustained, it has left many of the medical professionals amazed. It’s been explained that one bullet entered the center of his back, did no damage to his spine, and travelled harmlessly to his left trapezoid or shoulder muscle. The second bullet hit his left cheek bone, was deflected downward hitting the hinge of the jaw, shattering it in three places without damaging his teeth. The bullet itself was shattered and ended up in a metal shower in the left neck area below the ear, miraculously missing all major arteries and blood vessels. As the medics explained, Nigel was given morphine once in the hospital but has refused all pain meds stronger than liquid Tylenol after that. The lead paramedic dubbed Nigel “Mr. Titanium” because the bullets ‘could have’ penetrated his brain, killing him; or ‘could have’ affected his spinal column paralyzing him. Neither of which is the case. His bones were durable enough to deflect, shatter, or redirect the bullets so they posed no threat to vital organs or arteries. Mr. Titanium indeed!

Most Recent Medical Update: During Nigel’s latest consultation with an oral surgeon, it was discovered that Nigel’s injuries are more complicated than the doctors had initially realized. It was explained that the gunshot detached Nigel’s left jaw from his skull, causing it to hang like a door off its hinge. This in turn has caused his jaws to be misaligned. At present, when he closes his mouth, there is a pronounced gap between the teeth, creating problems with chewing. Nigel faces corrective measures by an orthodontist followed by additional oral surgery that would create a prosthetic bridge between his left jaw and his skull, held in place by screws. We pray for the best outcome in Nigel’s lengthy and very difficult road to full recovery.

In times like this, we question why something like this could happen to someone known for his ready smile and his gentle giant demeanor. Nigel, along with the rest of his family who are caring for him, face many difficult months ahead on the road to his recovery. Even in the face of all of this, and although Nigel is doing his best to stay upbeat, it is clear that this trauma has had a profound effect on his emotional state, and has somewhat shaken that aura of quiet invincibility and strength he has always possessed/exhibited.

We would like to take a moment to caution those who may have heard rumors on social media that point blaming fingers as to the cause of this tragedy, to remember that there are always three sides to every story told – one party’s side, the other party’s side, and the Truth. God guides us in whatever divine plan He has scripted for all our lives, and we recognize that in time (maybe not in our preferred time, but in His) truth always comes to light. As a society, we need to abhor violence in any form.

Nigel is a gentle giant who is a man of very few words. He is passionate about the things he loves and enjoys, the most recent of which is a new found love of cooking. Prior to this incident, Nigel worked two jobs, both of which saw his star begin to rise as a new and upcoming Island chef. Those that know Nigel intimately, have the assurance that he always does his best, always tries to treat people kindly, and is a man that abhors violence. He was raised by both his Mother and his Father to respect others and has lived his twenty-five years trying to do just that. None of us are perfect beings, but as long as we keep that goal front and center before us, always striving for excellence, then at day’s end, God will be pleased.

Nigel’s medical bills continue to mount and resources are few facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and other therapy-related costs. We request your help. Whatever God lays on your heart to give will be a blessing, no matter how large or how small, and we sincerely thank you. Feel free to leave words of well wishes to Nigel in your comments or you can contact Nigel’s Mom Helenita Scotland-Crosby at [phone redacted] for further follow-up and for an address to contact her or Nigel directly, should you need one. In the meantime, God bless each and every one of you. Please keep Nigel in your prayers.