CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix man who told police he discharged his weapon to scare off a prowler on his property was arrested for a Christmas Eve shooting incident, authorities said.
Jeremiah Stubbs, 40, of Peter’s Rest, was arrested and charged with carrying or using a firearm during a crime of violence, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Officers were sent by 911 dispatchers at 11:33 p.m. on December 24 in reference to a discharging of shots which occurred west of El Sol Bar, according to the VIPD.
Upon their arrival, officers observed a black male, later identified as Stubbs, standing in the vicinity of #153 Castle Coakley, police said.
The suspect was asked if he heard discharging of shots in the area, to which he replied “No,” but officers observed the handle of a black handgun and black holster sticking out from the front waist of Stubbs’ pants, according to police.
An investigation revealed that Stubbs did not have a license to carry a firearm in the U.S. Virgin Islands, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
Stubbs was then placed in custody and at that time stated that his neighbor located to the rear of him was trying to break into his home, so he stepped outside and discharged one shot in the air to chase them away, according to Dratte.
A check was made of the area where one spent casing was found in the roadway in the vicinity of his yard entrance, the police spokesman said.
Stubbs was arrested, booked and charged. Bail for Stubbs was set for $100,000.00. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending an advice-of-rights hearing.