The man recently convicted of killing two teenagers at Coki Point Beach on St. Thomas last July was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life sentences for the murders.
Steve Tyson, 22, was found guilty last April of two counts of first degree murder for the deaths of 18-year-old Shaheel Joseph and 15-year-old Liz Marie Perez Chapparro, a tourist who was visiting St. Thomas with her family.
Tyson was also found guilty of five other counts, including one count of first-degree assault, one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree, and three counts of unauthorized use of an unlicensed firearm. The associated charges earned Tyson another 35 years in jail, to run concurrent with the life sentences, Friday.
The convictions all stem from a July 12, 2010 shootout that took place during the funeral of Joseph Ferrari, 23, at Coki Point. During Tyson’s trial in April, prosecutors argued that Tyson opened fire on Joseph as he was leaving the funeral, which precipitated a gunfight in which Chapparro was caught in the crossfire.
Police believe the shooting was gang-related. At least three other suspects are believed to have been involved, but so far only Tyson has been arrested and convicted.
Though the bullet that killed Chapparro, a .38 caliber, did not come from the 9mm gun that Tyson allegedly used in the shootout, he was still charged with her murder because he fired first and caused the ensuing gunfight in which she died.
V.I. law prescribes a mandatory life sentence without parole for individuals convicted of first degree murder charges.
Tyson did not address the court during his sentencing in V.I. Superior Court Friday, according to court officials.
