St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands Police Department advises the public that a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Frederiksted Town earlier this year has been extradited to St. Croix and placed under arrest.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at about 9:26 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received notifications from the gunshot detection system and several telephone calls reporting shots fired in the Frederiksted Town area.
Responding police officers made contact with several citizens who reported that there was a physical disturbance and shots had been fired, injuring the victim.
A detective assigned to the Criminal Investigation Bureau conducted an investigation, which revealed that Luis Ventura Jr. was one of the individuals who discharged a firearm during the incident.
On February 19, 2026, an Honorable Judge of the Superior Court signed an arrest warrant for Luis Ventura Jr. for Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree and additional charges. During efforts to locate Ventura, it was disclosed that he had fled the island of St. Croix.
On September 11, 2026, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) received notification that Luis Ventura Jr., 35, had been detained in Montgomery County, Alabama. Luis Ventura Jr. waived his extradition and consented to be returned to the Virgin Islands.
On September 23, 2026, Ventura Jr. was returned to St. Croix. Upon arrival, he was arrested and booked. Unable to post $100,000.00 bail, Ventura was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility pending his advice of rights scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Kingshill Superior Court.
