ST. CROIX — A man was held by concerned residents until police arrived on the scene and arrested him after he shot another man dead on Friday morning during an attempted robbery incident, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte has announced. The robbery attempt and shooting occurred at the Candido Guadalupe Housing Community on St. Croix.
Police were alerted to the incident at about 11:35 a.m. Friday, according to Mr. Dratte. Upon arrival, officers found a wounded individual and a possible suspect being held in custody by several concerned residents. Officers detained the individual and transported him to the Wilbur Francis Command pending a complete investigation.
Mr. Dratte said the police investigation determined that the shooter walked up to the victim and several others and demanded at gunpoint that the victim give everything he had. The suspect then fired a single shot at the victim, who later succumbed to his injuries at the Juan F. Luis Hospital.
The shooter was later identified as Jurmanie Ajanie Kaieem Forde of Mutual Homes. Mr. Forde, 19, was charged with first-degree murder among other charges, and was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending his advisement hearing.
The victim was identified by his girlfriend and siblings as 32-year-old Angel Ayala.