Two Suspects in Walter IM Hodge Homicide Surrender to Police

ST. CROIX — Two suspects wanted in connection with the October 25 homicide in the Walter IM Hodge Housing Community have surrendered to authorities, according to the V.I. Police Department. The VIPD has announced that Carlos Ayala, 19, and Ayala's uncle Casey Rivera, 35, turned themselves in to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Friday, December 14. Both men are accused of involvement in the killing of Errol St. Jean, a 19-year-old who was fatally shot in the Frederiksted housing community. Following their surrender, Ayala and Rivera were each held on $1 million bail. As they were unable to post bail, they were remanded to the John H. Bell Correctional Facility. The suspects are scheduled for an advice of rights hearing on Monday, December 16. The VIPD had been actively seeking Ayala and Rivera for the past several weeks following the fatal incident. The department thanked the public for their assistance and continues to urge cooperation in ongoing investigations.