The V.I. Police arrested a 17-year-old male Wednesday and charged him in connection with the fatal shooting of another minor, the department announced. The suspect had been wounded during the shooting that took place Tuesday on the Frederiksted pier.
The incident took place about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the pier. Police said on the night of the shooting that they were investigating the possibility that the teen who was killed and a second victim who was wounded by gunshots might have been suspects in a robbery that was reported from the same area that night.
Police did not release the name of the arrested 17-year-old because of the department policy not to identify minors.
At about 3 p.m. Wednesday detectives from Youth Investigation arrested the minor, who had been shot in the upper right chest the previous night. Police said he was arrested upon his release from the hospital and charged with first-degree robbery, felony murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
Police identified the dead young man, who was also a suspect in the robbery, as Emmanuel Artis, also 17. According to the report, the two approached four people and robbed them of two gold chains. Soon after the robbery, shots were fired.
Artis was shot dead and the second minor was injured. Police said there may have been four or more suspects involved in the robbery. The injured suspect was charged with felony murder because his actions during the robbery were a factor in of death of Artis.
Police have confiscated a weapon, which is undergoing forensic testing to determine if it was used in the course of the crime. Two gold chains were recovered near Artis’ body.
The minor was not remanded to the Youth Correctional Facility because of his injury, and was instead placed, by the court, into the custody of his parents pending his court appearance.
Detectives said this case is still under active investigation and additional arrests are pending.