Arrests Made In Homicide Of Augustus Bannis

ST. CROIX — Police officers here executed arrest warrants for two adult males and two male minors at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, in connection with the murder of 73-year-old Augustus Bannis, according to a press release VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson issued this afternoon.

The Consortium broke the news of the brutal attack on Mr. Bannis, who recently succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault. Mr. Bannis, former a deacon at the Calvary Baptist Church, was out that Monday, August 17, collecting almonds for his wife at the D. Hamilton Jack Park in Estate Grove Place.

Following the incident, Mr. Bannis was airlifted to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital in Florida, where he remained unconscious and later died on October 19 — leaving his immediate and church family traumatized by the vicious attack and the devastating outcome thereof.

Murder suspect Dumaray Isles. Courtesy VIPD.

The VIPD made four arrests — two adults and two minors. Jahmal Rivera, 29, of Estate Grove Place was arrested at 4:00 p.m., while Dumaray Isles, 23, of Estate Upper Love was taken into custody at 4:30 p.m. Both men were charged with first degree murder, first degree robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. No bail was established for either Rivera or Isles and both men were remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their advise-of-rights hearing.

The two minors arrested in connection with the homicide were remanded to the Youth Rehabilitation Center, according to sources with first-hand knowledge of the matter, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak. However, their identities were not released.

The arrests come at a time when the community has been weary of the VIPD’s efforts in solving crime, a fatigue caused by the lack of arrests made on most of the homicides that have affected the territory this year. The arrests are also consoling to Calvary Baptist Pastor Anthony Benjamin, who, on numerous occasions and at several services held in honor of Mr. Bannis, called on residents to share what they knew about the murder.

Murder suspect Jahmal Rivera. Courtesy VIPD.

“We would really love for those persons who perpetrated this act to know God is merciful and that God is just. And that we, as children of God, are merciful and just. We are not looking for vengeance in this situation. We are not looking for the worst for anyone out of this situation. We are looking for the very best in the midst of this situation,” Mr. Benjamin said.

“We would like them to acknowledge that they did something wrong and they should throw themselves at the mercy of the law. I would encourage them to give up themselves and if they are afraid to do that, come see me. Come see the pastor. Come sit down and talk with me. Again, we’re not looking for vengeance, we’re looking for justice.”