ST. JOHN — A St. John man has been arrested in connection with two shooting incidents that occurred in December 2024, following an investigation by the V.I. Police Department. Authorities identified 39-year-old Jose Bolques as the suspect in both cases and subsequently obtained an arrest warrant. On Wednesday, March 12, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Bolques turned himself in at the Leander Jurgen Command on St. John.

The first shooting was reported on Monday, December 9, 2024, at approximately 8:45 p.m., when the ShotSpotter alert system notified 911 of gunfire in the Mongoose Junction area. Three days later, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at approximately 1:27 a.m., officers responded to reports of shots fired near Upstairs Bar and Grill. Spent shell casings were recovered at both locations. During the course of the investigation, authorities identified Bolques as the individual responsible for discharging the firearm in both incidents.

Bolques faces multiple charges, including illegal discharge of a firearm, reckless endangerment, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of an unlicensed firearm within 1,000 feet of a housing community/preschool. His bail was set at $50,000.

The case remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to these incidents to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 693-8880 ext. 5207, or Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).