A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the Feb. 2 shooting death of 21-year-old Wellington Pennyfeather Jr. Detectives on St. Croix arrested 23-year-old Juan Ilaraza, also known as "Jaunky," at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
According to the V.I. Police Department, after Pennyfeather was killed a warrant was issued for Ilaraza’s arrest. Police received information that Ilaraza fled to Orlando, where he was later detained by law enforcement officers.
VIPD detectives brought Ilaraza back to the territory to face charges of first degree murder, first degree assault, third degree assault, first degree robbery, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, failure to report firearms obtained outside or brought into the Virgin Islands, possession of ammunition, first degree reckless endangerment and unauthorized possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
Ilaraza was held without bail and remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.
According to police reports at the time of the killing, police believed Pennyfeather had an argument with one or more people at the Frederiksted Vegetable Market on Feb. 2 and was shot as he ran from the area. On March 6, Ronald E. Bogan was arrested on Puerto Rico, extradited to the territory and charged with first degree murder.
Detectives said a third suspect connection to the killing is still at large. Police are following all leads in this case and appreciate the continued support from the community.
