St. Thomas, USVI - On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at approximately 1:46 p.m., the Richard Callwood Command Patrol Officers were dispatched to the area of Mushen’s Market in Market Square concerning a possible shot fired situation. Upon their arrival the officers conducted an inspection of the area and made contact with individuals who explained that the suspects fled the area in a grey Hyundai sedan driving pass Red Ball Grocery towards the Solberg area.

Units traveled to the area of Solberg and Scott Free to conduct an inspection and came upon a vehicle fitting the description given; it was still running, and the door left ajar. The units then conducted further inspection of the vehicle and the immediate area where they located the two individuals fitting the description previously given and recovered a firearm.

Angel Guerrero

Angel Guerrero, age 22, and Ralphi Payano, age 26 were both arrested for Illegal Possession of Firearm, Possession of Ammunition, Illegal Discharge, Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, Reckless Endangerment, Contempt of Court, Aiding and Abetting, Carrying of Firearms; Openly or Concealed; Evidence of Intent to Commit Crime of Violence. Their bail was set at $100,000.00. Unable to post bail, they were both remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their Advise of Rights Hearing.

Ralphi Payano

This case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone with any information regarding this crime is urged to contact 911, Detective S. Rhymer of the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211 ext. 5572 or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

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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.