Two 23-year-old men were arrested in connection with a New Year’s Day shooting in the Bovoni area of St. Thomas, where police say a firearm was discharged into a crowd during a disturbance, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
VIPD officers assigned to the Special Operations Bureau were dispatched to the area near the Lima Laundromat about 2:08 p.m. Jan. 1 after Central Dispatch received multiple reports of a large disturbance and gunfire, according to the police report stated.
According to the report, officers identified Engember Brito as the individual who discharged a firearm into a crowd of people who were engaged in a physical altercation. Police said further investigation showed that Robert De La Rosa fled the scene in a vehicle with Brito after the incident.
Officers later conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at the Racetrack Gas Station on Rhymer Highway. Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed Brito and De La Rosa switching driving roles at the gas station, the report stated.
Both suspects later provided recorded statements to the Criminal Investigation Bureau and denied possessing a firearm, police said. Investigators obtained additional evidence that corroborated Brito’s involvement in discharging a firearm into the crowd before fleeing the scene, the report stated.
Brito and De La Rosa were arrested and charged with illegal discharge of a firearm and multiple related offenses. Police said Brito’s bail was set at $231,000 and De La Rosa’s bail was set at $131,000. After failing to post bond, both were booked, processed and remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending advice of rights hearings, police said.
