CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Croix native became the fourth person arrested in connection with the non-fatal assault rifle shooting of local marshal 12 days ago.
Kadeem Baptiste, 23, of St. Croix was arrested about 3 p.m. on Saturday and charged with misprision of a felony, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
The charge against Baptiste means that he allegedly knew who committed the shooting act against Superior Court Marshal Junior Clarke on May 7, but failed to divulge the information to authorities.
Shamari Elmes, 22, was arrested on May 8 and charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, third-degree assault and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with the incident.
On May 9, Lessroy Gumbs, 27, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm during the commission of a violent crime, brandishing or exhibiting a firearm, using or carrying a dangerous weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a public housing community, according to Superior Court documents.
James “Gogettah” Nathaniel, 22, was arrested on May 16 and charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of an unlicensed firearm during the commission of a crime and brandishing-exhibiting a firearm, the VIPD said.
On May 7, 2019 at about 12:42 a.m., 911 Emergency Communication Center received a call that multiple shots were being fired in the area of 1st Stop Gas Station in Estate Thomas.
Several moments later, 911 Emergency Communication Center received another call that two people were shot and was taken to the Schneider Regional Medical Center, at which time it was discovered that a Superior Court Marshal was one of the victims.
The defendant, 23 years old Kadeem Baptiste, was present at First Stop Gas Station on May 7, 2019 when a Superior Court Marshal was shot.
Baptiste is seen on surveillance communicating with another individual involved in the gun battle.
Throughout the gun battle, Mr. Baptiste is seen leaning out of his vehicle with a firearm in his hand.
After the gun battle, Baptiste returned to the scene of the crime and willfully concealed another individual involvement in the shooting by giving the Virgin Islands Police Department false information in his statement
On Saturday, May 18, 2019 at approximately 3:00p.m., the suspect Kadeem Baptiste was arrested and charged with Misprision of a Felony.
Kadeem Baptiste bail was set at $10,000.00, however he was unable to post bail.
He said on social media that he attended St. Croix Central High School in Kingshill.
