Frederiksted, St. Croix - On September 30, 2022, the 911 Emergency Call Center received reports of shots being fired in the Paradise Mills Housing Community at 9:59p.m. Moments later they received calls from citizens who reported that there was a gunshot victim in Paradise Mills Housing Community.

Jahreem Lake

Officers from the Wilbur H. Francis Command were dispatched to Paradise Mills Housing Community and contacted several citizens who directed them to a gunshot victim lying in the grass near building one. They observed a black male in dark clothing and a dark stocking cap on his head lying face down in the grass. The victim was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was later identified by his next of kin as Deshawn Huggins, 31 years old.

Information received from the community led the CIB detectives to the suspect who was picked on Friday October 7, 2022. at 3:15p.m. Mr. Jahreem Lake, 28-years-old, was arrested and charged with Murder in the 1st degree. His bail was set as per chart at 1,000.000.00. Mr. Lake was processed and was unable to post the bond and was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advised of rights hearing on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Chief Detective, Lt. Naomi Joseph expressed her gratitude to the community and amplified by stating “As we continue to work together, we will take our community back from that small percentage of individuals who are causing the violence in our territory. If you have any information that can make that difference, call the CIB Tip-Line at 340 778 4850, 340 712 6092, Crime Stoppers at 1800 222 TIPS or 911.

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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.