The V.I. Police–department arrested two men in the July 22 murder of a man at a hotel in Smith Bay.
According to a news release issued Friday, the police arrested 39-year-old Rasokemo Archibald of the Bovoni Housing community and 30-year-old Tyler Labbarie, who was already in custody of the Bureau of Corrections on another violation. The arrest took place Thursday.
Both men were charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Archibald and Labbarie were identified as the individuals who shot and killed 29-year-old Khamal Desilvia on July 22 at a hotel in Smith Bay.
Bail for Archibald and Labbarie was set at $1 million each. Unable to post bail, they were remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their advice of rights hearings.
St. Thomas/St. John Chief of Police Steven Phillip commended the detectives of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, led by Lt. Shelly-Ann Cannonier, for the work that they did in securing the warrant that led to the arrests.
“I would like to thank members of the community for coming forward with tips that allowed us to get these guys,” Phillip said.
Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor also praised the effort, saying, “This case is a good example of effective police response, meticulous investigative capability, in addition to the use of technology to solve this crime.”
