Minutes after 26-year-old Dion Henry was fatally gunned down at about 8:45 a.m. Thursday, residents of the Anna’s Fancy neighborhood where the shooting occurred led police to the man they identified as Henry’s killer.
Police quickly arrested Anna’s Fancy resident Jody Penn, 28, and recovered an AK-47 machine gun, a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and several hundred rounds of ammunition in the immediate area where Penn was caught, according to a VIPD statement issued late Thursday.
Penn, who police also identified as a suspect in a double shooting committed several days ago, was charged with first-degree murder, police said. Other charges for the guns and ammunition are also on the table, according to the VIPD.
Thursday’s homicide was the 22nd this year in the territory and number 10 for St. Thomas. It is also a frightening reminder that violence has escalated to the point where powerful weapons, such as AK-47 assault rifles, are becoming common.
As is often the case in the territory’s current wave of street violence, the victim in the shooting was also well armed. Police said they recovered a .357 revolver from Henry, whose body they found lying in the middle of a dead end street.
Police Commissioner Novelle Francis and St. Thomas Police Chief Rodney Querrard credited the residents who led them to Penn Thursday morning.
“We want to thank the residents of the Anna’s Fancy for their cooperation leading to the swift arrest of Jody Penn and the discovery and confiscation of two firearm and ammunition!” Francis said, according to the VIPD statement.
The brass also thanked the leaders, detectives and officers of VIPD, as well as the assistant attorneys general who quickly followed the arrest with charges.
Francis reminded the public that there is a standing $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of any homicide suspect. All calls and information will be kept confidential. Anyone having information on this homicide or any other case is urged to call 911, the Major Crimes Bureau at 712-6075 the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 712-6077 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.
