Delani Richards, a 20-year-old resident of the JFK housing community, was shot and killed on the dance floor of the H2O restaurant early Saturday, and detectives of the Criminal Investigation Bureau were interviewing a "person of interest," the V.I. Police Department said Saturday.
It was the 14th homicide in the territory this year.
The murder occurred at about 3:45 a.m. Saturday. No arrest had been made as of late Saturday afternoon, the police statement said.
Police said Richards had previously been arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm in connection with a 2009 murder in which Jeffrey Browne and Luis Melendez were found guilty. Richards was sentenced to serve time in the Youth Rehabilitation Center on the firearm charge.
V.I. police had an eye on the gathering at the north shore nightspot, sending saturation patrols there several times during the night. St. Croix Police Chief Christopher Howell said the checks were scheduled because of recent arrests at H20 of people carrying unlicensed firearms and using drugs, and police have broken up several fights at the establishment.
However, a fight broke out on the dance floor between police checks. The victim was shot while on the dance floor, in front of a live band and other patrons. No one else was injured.
Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives urge the public to call police with any information they have about case. They can call police at 712.6075, 712-6037 or 712-6077, or call the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
