St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On December 30, 2025, at approximately 7:58 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received several calls of shots fired, and that two individuals were shot at Estate Rattan, Christiansted.
Upon officers’ arrival at the scene, they observed an unresponsive female on the ground and a male who sustained a gunshot wound to his body. Emergency medical personnel that were on the scene, pronounced the female was dead. The female victim was identified by a next of kin as 19-year-old Janice Rivera. The male victim was transported to the Juan Luis Hospital for medical treatment. As a result of his injuries, he will be airlifted off the island for medical treatment.
Detectives of the Major Crime Unit, Criminal Investigation Bureau, were assigned to investigate this case. Investigation revealed that Jaden M. Francis, 22-year-old, was the suspect. A search warrant was conducted at his residence, and a weapon, ammunition, and property belonging to the female victim were collected. On December 31, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Mr. Francis was present at the Criminal Investigation Bureau office, where he was advised of his rights and placed under arrest. He was charged with Murder in the first degree, Assault first degree, Reckless endangerment first degree, Assault third degree. Francis was booked, and bail was set at $1,000,000.00. Unable to post bail, Francis was transported to the John A. Bell Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility, where he was remanded pending his Advice of Rights Hearing on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Superior Court.
