Murder suspects N’zinger Makeda Williams and Jonathan Rivera. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A man and a woman who were arrested in Florida earlier this month in connection with the shooting death of 28-year-old Jah Marley Christopher Alfred were extradited to St. Croix on Tuesday to face charges.
The male suspect, Jonathan Rivera, waved a middle finger as he entered a police vehicle on the tarmac of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport following his arrival Tuesday. N'zinger Makeda Williams, the female suspect, wore a hoodie over her head as she entered a separate police vehicle.
According to V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte, on Nov. 3 at around 5:00 p.m. the Polk County Sheriff Department in Florida apprehended Rivera and Williams at the V.I.P.D.'s Criminal Investigations Bureau’s request, after securing a warrant for their arrests on the charge of first-degree murder.
The homicide occurred on July 26 in an area of Williams Delight where men are known to gather. According to the V.I.P.D., Alfred and Rivera got into a verbal altercation and during the dispute, Rivera chased Alfred and shot him multiple times, leading to the death of Alfred.
The V.I.P.D. said both suspects were being held without bail in the Polk County Jail until while their extradition was pending.
According to the Polk Command Sherif's Office, deputies, supported by K-9 and Drone units, "responded to a residence at 107 Arizona Avenue in Lakeland and quickly arrested the suspects, 30-year old Jonathan Rivera and his girlfriend 28-year old N’zinger Williams at about 5:16 p.m."
The suspects' advisement hearing is scheduled for today at the V.I. Superior Court on St. Croix.
