St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On January 22, 2026, at around 9:22 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a Shot Spotter notification of two rounds fired on King Street, Frederiksted. Shortly thereafter, they received a report of an assault incident at that location.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau Detective assigned to investigate found that on January 22, 2026, the victim was outside a bar in Frederiksted, when he encountered the suspect, Omar Garcia, who appeared to be intoxicated. A verbal dispute occurred between the victim and Garcia, who then pulled out a firearm, pointed it at the victim and threatened to kill him. The victim fled the area, and Garcia then pointed his firearm at another individual, who stated that he was able to run away from Garcia, and that while doing so, he heard two shots fired behind him.
A Superior Court Judge signed an arrest and search warrants for Omar Garcia and his residence on January 26, 2026.
The search and arrest warrants were executed on January 29, 2026, by the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau. Omar Garcia, 41, was placed under arrest and multiple firearms were collected from his residence. He was charged with Reckless Endangerment First, Assault Third, Carrying or Using a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and Discharging or Aiming Firearms. Garcia was transported to the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station where he was booked and remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing.
