St. Croix, USVI - On April 2, 2023 at 3:17 a.m., 911 received notification from Shotspotter of shots fired on Company Street, Christiansted in the vicinity of Divi Divi Fabric Store. Upon officers’ arrival they discovered the lifeless body of an adult black male laying on the sidewalk with multiple bullet wounds to various parts of his body. EMS was dispatched and upon arrival did not find any sign of life. The individual was identified by his next of kin as Milton Gordon, also known as Bobo. He was known to be a harmless, homeless veteran.

The investigation was fueled with community assistance and as a result investigators uncovered the identity of the perpetrators. The investigation revealed that Elijah Spencer and Ryan Branch called Mr. Gordon until he walked up to where they were and at that point, they shot and killed him without provocation and left him on the sidewalk.

Elijah Spencer

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 5:00 a.m., members of the Criminal Investigation and Special Operation Bureaus executed Operation “No Respect” and as a result Mr. Elijah Spencer, 21 years of age, was formally arrested and charged with Murder in the First Degree and his bail was set by the Honorable Magistrate at $1,000,000.00, which he was unable to secure. Spencer has additional charges of Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Reckless Endangerment, Unauthorized possession of a firearm, Unauthorized of ammunition. He was booked, processed, and transported to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advised of rights hearing on Monday, May 8, 2023.

His co-conspirator, 19-year-old Ryan Branch was involved in a vehicle accident on April 21, 2023, in which both Mr. Branch and Mr. Spencer were injured. Mr. Branch was airlifted because of his injuries, he will be brought back after it is medically allowable to face charges in this case.

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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.