Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives arrested 21-year-old Julian Viera Saturday and charged him with first-degree murder in a shooting that took place early Saturday morning in Christiansted, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The victim was described as a a 38-year-old male, Police did not release his name. It was the 13th homicide on the island of St. Croix since the beginning of the year, the 21st in the territory.
Police were dispatched to the shooting, which occurred at about 6:20 a.m. Saturday on Market Street between King and Company Streets in Christiansted. Two other male victims, aged 58 and 47, were wounded in the same incident.
Police said the two wounded victims were taken to the Juan Luis Memorial Hospital for treatment. The wounds do not seem to be life threatening, police said. The case was investigated by members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
At about 5:15 p.m. Sunday police located the suspect, Julian Viera, in Estate Strawberry. He was arrested and charged with the murder. by Judge Darrel Donahue set bail at $1.5 million. Viera was taken to the hospital and seen by doctors there, then taken to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.
According to the V.I. Police, Veira had been arrested, along with two other suspects, on Dec. 31 in connection with a shooting that occurred at the rear of the Frederiksted Festival Village.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to add Viera’s photo and the information about his previous arrest.
