Reward For Information Leading To Capture Of Baby Killer Now $20,000

ST. THOMAS — Governor Mapp in a press release issued late Wednesday continued his push of encouraging the community to report any information regarding all homicides in the territory, and more so the tragic death of the 17-month-old child, who was shot to death while in a car with her mother in the vicinity of Contant Knolls.

Moved by the impact of the crime on the community, Dennis Alphonse of Low-Price Maintenance & Construction along with his longtime friend, Senator Marvin Blyden, contacted Mr. Mapp and delivered a check for an additional $5000 to add to the $10,000 award originally authorized by Mr. Mapp, and an additional $5,000 from an anonymous donor, according to Government House.

Today’s $5000 donation is the second time a citizen in the community has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the horrible death of the infant, Mr. Mapp noted.

According to Government House, Mr. Alphonse was compelled to contribute when he heard of the governor’s reward. “We all have to participate in making the Virgin Islands a safer place. When violence occurs here it affects all residents. Governor Mapp understands how the community is impacted and I want to help,” he said.

For the last year, Mr. Alphonse has self-funded a radio contest aimed at preventing and reporting crime. He provides a prize of $105.30 to each winner of a brainstorming contest on 105.3 JAMZ and only asks in return that if the winner “sees something, they say something”. Mr. Alphonse implemented the promotion after he noticed how crime was affecting the young people in the community.

“I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing,” he said. Working with Mr. Blyden, Mr. Alphonse continues to address these issues at a grassroots level, according to Government House. The governor thanked Mr. Alphonse and Mr. Blyden for their efforts and contributions.

The law enforcement community is already engaged in solving this crime. Mr. Mapp reminded anyone with information on the shooting to contact the V.I.P.D. Homicide Task Force at (340) 774-2211, Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or to call 911.