A 15-year-old male suspect has been transferred to adult court in connection with the June 5 shooting death of 38-year-old Jordan “Dutty Heart” Jones, the V.I. Justice Department announced in a press release Wednesday.
Following a transfer hearing held earlier in the day, the minor was ordered moved to adult court. The adult arrest warrant and formal charging documents were executed Tuesday afternoon, according to Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea.
The charges stem from a broad daylight shooting that occurred around 12:52 p.m. June 5 near the Christiansted Boardwalk. According to police, two male gunshot victims were reported. Jones was shot multiple times and later died at Juan F. Luis Hospital. A bystander who attempted to help Jones suffered a graze wound and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
An investigation involving surveillance footage and witness interviews led to the suspect’s arrest later that day. He was advised of his rights in Family Court June 6, and arraigned June 11 in V.I. Superior Court on St. Croix. The DOJ’s motion to transfer the case to adult court was granted Tuesday, according to the press release.
The minor now faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, first-degree robbery, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of ammunition, the press release sated.
