Crime Stoppers Announces $10,000 Reward For Information Leading To Arrest Of Ivan James

ST. CROIX — Crime Stoppers USVI has announced an award of $10,000 for anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of Ivan James, who is wanted by the Virgin Islands Police Department in connection with the double homicide incident that occurred at the Estate Glynn cockpit one week ago, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Sunday. Mr. James, according to the V.I.P.D., is the primary suspect in the incident.

A V.I. Superior Court magistrate judge on Wednesday issued a warrant for Mr. James’s arrest. He is being charged with first-degree murder, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, first-degree assault, possession of ammunition, third-degree assault, discharging of a firearm and first-degree reckless endangerment, according to Mr. Dratte.

Mr. James, a 34-year-old who stands 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds, is from Estate La Grange, Frederiksted, according to Mr. Dratte. His bail was set at $1 million. The V.I.P.D. strongly emphasized that anyone caught harboring Mr. James or any individual wanted by law enforcement, will be arrested and charged with aiding and abetting, and delaying and interfering with officers discharging their duties.

Malachi Benjamin remains a person of interest, according to police.

To send a tip, go here. Crime Stoppers USVI says all information sent remains anonymous. You can also call the V.I.P.D.’s Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, ext. 6176 or ext. 6092.

Double homicide 

According to V.I.P.D. Commissioner Delroy Richards, two men were shot dead on Saturday, February 17, in the Estate Glynn cockpit, in what he said appeared to be a targeted shooting.

The incident occurred just before 3:58 p.m., according to Mr. Richards. He said several individuals barged through the cockpit door and started firing multiple shots at two specific individuals, both of whom were Hispanic males from the Clifton Hill area, according to Mr. Richards.

“There wasn’t a fight or anything of that nature, where somebody was shot. To us, these individuals were targeted by the shooters,” the commissioner said.

Police blocked traffic headed inside Estate Glynn through the entrance near the gas station, as investigators and emergency medical technicians responded to the scene. One man was dead on arrival, meaning he died on the scene, while the other victim died after being transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital, according to Mr. Richards.

The victims were identified as Jacobo Garcia, age 46, who was identified by his wife and mother, and Luis Colon, age 31, who was identified by his parents. “We are now in the investigative phase,” the commissioner said.

He said the shooting had all the signs of a gang rivalry, and that police were bracing for possible retaliation. “When folks walk into an establishment and just simply open fire on two people, it’s because the individuals they decided to shoot were the intended targets, so it was a targeted shooting,” Mr. Richards said, adding, “When these things happen we brace ourselves and prepare ourselves with our resources in case there’s a retaliation some place. We’re looking at who all the connections were and what their capabilities are in responding.”