A Virgin Islands jury has convicted 34-year-old Kertis Tonge Jr. of murder and six related crimes in the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Quanza Heath at Lorraine Village Apartments last year on St. Croix, Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced Wednesday.
Tonge was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and unauthorized possession of ammunition. Superior Court Judge Ernest E. Morris Jr. presided over the trial. Sentencing is set for Nov. 19, according to the press release.
Prosecutors said Tonge went uninvited to a Lorraine Village apartment shortly before noon on Oct. 23, 2024. After a dispute with occupants, he intentionally shot into the residence, striking Heath, who was inside with an adult woman and several children. Investigators said Tonge fired three shots into the apartment. Heath was rushed to Juan F. Luis Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and later died, the press release stated.
“This victory for justice was made possible by the dedication of prosecutors Robert Pickett and Jasmin Griffin, the DOJ support staff, the VIPD, the witnesses who testified, and the jury members who upheld the law,” Rhea said in a statement. “Our communities are safer when people engage in the justice system, and the DOJ is grateful to those who step forward to build a safer, more just future. We remain committed to protecting our communities and pursuing justice for victims and their families.”
Rhea also thanked Assistant Attorneys General Pickett and Griffin, Assistant Director of Investigations Giselle Quinones, Special Agents Riquesha Williams and Sarah McFarlane, and Victim Witness Advocate Juliet John Hope of the DOJ Criminal Division on St. Croix. He credited Detective Naemah Daniel and Virgin Islands Police Department officers for their work on the case, the release stated.
