CHRISTIANSTED — Police are investigating after two people were shot — one fatally — in Estate Rattan on St. Croix Tuesday night. The second victim was airlifted off-island for medical treatment.
Jaden M. Francis, 22, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree assault, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
On December 30, 2025, at approximately 7:58 p.m., the 911 VITEMA Emergency Call Center got several calls “of shots fired, and two individuals were shot in Estate Rattan, Christiansted,” according to the VIPD.
When officers’ arrived on the scene, they observed the unresponsive body of a female on the ground and a male who had sustained a gunshot wound to his body, police said.
The emergency medical personnel were present at the scene and immediately pronounced the female dead after finding no signs of life, according to police.
The female victim was identified at the scene by a next of kin as 19-year-old Janice Rivera, police said.
The unidentified male victim was transported to the Juan Luis Hospital for medical treatment, according to police.
As a result of his injuries, the male victim will be airlifted off the island for medical treatment, police said.
Detectives with 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, according to police.
A search warrant was conducted at his residence, and a weapon, ammunition, and property belonging to the female victim were collected, police said.
On December 31, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m. Francis was present at the Criminal Investigation Bureau office, where he was advised of his rights and placed under arrest, according to police.
Francis was taken into official custody, booked and processed.
His bail was set at $1,000,000.00. Unable to post bail, he was transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility in Estate Golden Grove.
Francis is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing at the Superior Court in Estate Kingshill on Friday.
