Feb. 15, 2007 — Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the shooting death of veteran VIPD Officer Ariel A. Frett, who was gunned down last Thursday in the Hospital Ground area. According to a VIPD press release, the suspect, a 17-year-old St. Thomas resident, turned himself in shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday.
The release states that police detectives received information identifying the minor as the "first person seen firing shots into the body of Officer Frett."
The minor, whose name cannot be publicly released, had been recovering at Schneider Regional Medical Center for gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident. When contacted Thursday evening, acting Police Commissioner James McCall said the suspect was released Wednesday from the hospital and into the custody of his parents due to the severity of his injuries.
Due to his medical condition, the minor is to remain in his parents' custody, McCall added.
The minor has been charged with first-degree murder, use of an unlicensed firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and the unauthorized possession of ammunition and principal in an assault in the third-degree.
An advice of rights hearing is set for Friday in the Family Division of V.I. Superior Court.
Frett, a veteran police officer, died from multiple gunshot wounds on Feb. 8 after he intervened in an altercation in the Hospital Ground area. Since the incident occurred, police have also arrested 24-year-old Jermaine Paris, who surrendered to police on Monday afternoon (See "Murder Suspect in Police Officer Killing in Custody").
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