CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Two suspects in the fatal armed robbery at Glitter’s Jewelry Store on St. Thomas have been bound over as adults and charged in connection with the murder of government employee Gregorianna Julien.
Jahmar Lewis and Akenda Weeks were arrested on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree assault with intent to commit robbery, firearms crimes, among other charges, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Lewis is 17 years old and Weeks turned 18 on February 22, according to the VIPD.
Two others have been arrested in connection with the armed robbery, another underage teen who has not yet been publicly identified, and 18-year-old Micaiah Cozier of Estate Mandahl.
The shooting occurred on December 4 at around 11 a.m. in Havensight, in the area of the shopping mall and cruise ship dock.
Police responded and recovered about 20 rounds of two different calibers, a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson and a 9mm, and Emergency Medical Technicians responded to treat two gunshot victims inside Glitter’s Jewelry Store, according to the VIPD’s probable cause fact sheet.
Julien, 56, had been shot in the shoulder and was initially taken to Schneider Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment. She died from her wounds nearly a month later on January 2, prompting the enhanced murder charges. Julien was a Department of Education employee.
A male security guard was also shot in the stomach and taken to the Schneider Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.
Police interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage and saw a Honda Odyssey van enter the shopping center. When it came to a stop, “three masked males wearing all black exited the vehicle,” and two were armed with guns, according to the fact sheet.
The first suspect, later identified as Cozier, was carrying a handgun, and Lewis was armed with a long gun, according to police. The third underage suspect was carrying a bag, while Weeks remained in the vehicle.
Bail was set at $1 million each.
Akenda Weeks was arrested by the Major Crimes Unit after a hearing was convened in the Family Court of the Virgin Islands on Tuesday. Weeks was one of the four suspects involved in the Glitters Jewelry store robbery that occurred on December 04, 2021.
Bail was also set at $1,000,000.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211 ext. 5552, or they can also contact 911, Crime Stoppers V.I. (800) 222-8477, the Chief’s office at 340-715-5548 or the Commissioner’s office at 340-715-5506.