From left to right, mugshots of Ishmael Jean Christian Jr. and Daniel Manuel Ramos Jr. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — In the latest developments following the violent shooting incident following the Christiansted Downtown Shut Down event in December, 23-year-old Daniel Manuel Ramos Jr. and 24-year-old Ishmael Jean Christian Jr. were denied release after a hearing on March 27.
Both men had been arrested on March 22 without incident at their homes, with their bail set at $1 million each. They were advised of their rights on March 25, but will remain in custody pending the identification of a suitable third-party custodian.
The arrests stem from an incident that occurred in the early hours of December 24, 2023 at approximately 4:03 a.m., when the 91-1 Emergency Call Center (ECC) received reports of gunfire. The shooting, which took place in the vicinity of the Christian “Shan” Hendricks Vegetable Market, left two individuals seriously injured. Both victims were transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital by private vehicles, where they underwent life-saving surgeries.
Detectives were able to secure footage of the event that depicted Ramos Jr. and Christian Jr. opening fire during the festivities, leading to their identification and subsequent arrests. They face charges of attempted murder, first- and third-degree assault, carrying firearms openly or concealed, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
The incident has prompted a swift response from local law enforcement, with the V.I. Police Department vigorously investigating the case.
