St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) has arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Gerell L. Reed.
On Thursday, August 27, 2026, at approximately 2:49 a.m., the VIPD gunshot detection system alerted 911 to multiple gunshots fired in the area of Judy M. Gomez Highway. Shortly thereafter, 911 received a call from a concerned citizen reporting that a vehicle had struck a wall and that an unresponsive male was inside.
Responding officers arrived on the scene and discovered an unresponsive male who appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Emergency Medical Technicians examined the victim and determined that he showed no signs of life.
The investigation conducted by the Major Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, detectives identified J’vonte Mercer, 23 as the suspect in the homicide.
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, detectives received information indicating that Mercer was on St. Croix and preparing to board a flight to the U.S. mainland. VIPD detectives traveled to St. Croix, located Mercer, and placed him under arrest without incident. Mercer was subsequently transported back to St. Thomas, where he was processed, booked, and remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing. Mercer was charged with Homicide, Assault First, Assault Third, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. His bail was set at $1,000,000.00.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211 ext. 5555 or 5556, or 340-714-9830. Information can also be provided through 911, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-8477, the Chief’s Office at 340-715-5548, or the Commissioner’s Office at 340-715-5506.
