A 2019 Kia Sportage, reported stolen on July 4, crashed in Estate La Grange after a pursuit Friday evening. All four occupants were shot by police. Photo Credit: V.I. POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — After attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle connected to two prior robberies in July, shots were allegedly fired at two police officers from inside the stolen vehicle whose occupants included three minor males and one adult male.
The adult suspect, Jahaan Nahjeeb Acevedo, 19, appeared before Judge Ernest Morris, Jr. via teleconference from the Bureau of Corrections last week Saturday for his advisement hearing and arraignment.
Acevedo was charged with the following offenses: two counts of first-degree attempted murder, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, unauthorized possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a housing community, third-degree assault (assault with a deadly weapon), third-degree assault (assaulting a peace officer), discharging or aiming a firearm, unauthorized use of a vehicle, first-degree reckless endangerment, and unauthorized possession of ammunition.
Prior to this incident, Acevedo had no criminal record. He now faces a cumulative maximum incarceration of 127 years if found guilty of the aforementioned charges.
Mugshot of Jahaan Nahjeeb Acevedo (Credit: V.I. Police Dept.)
According to the fact sheet, on Monday, July 30 at approximately 8:16 pm, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white, four-door Kia Sportage with no rear license plate. Officers recognized the vehicle as the same vehicle that was taken during two robberies/ carjackings that occurred on July 4 and July 11 respectively.
While in a marked Police vehicle with blue lights on, officers drove in the vicinity of the Frederiksted Post Office. The Kia Sportage began to accelerate, and officers eventually lost sight of it. Soon thereafter, they caught sight of the vehicle. It had run off the road and was turned on its left side, according to the fact sheet.
The fact sheet said that officers gave the following verbal command multiple times to the occupants of the vehicle: “Show us your hands!” Shots were discharged from inside the vehicle, and officers had to take cover at a nearby vehicle while returning fire.
One of the minors attempted to run from the vehicle. This minor suspect was shot. Two other minors remained in the vehicle and were both injured by gunshot wounds from police gunfire. Acevedo attempted to run from police, disobeying orders to show his hands. He eventually fell to the ground due to a gunshot wound to the leg, according to his statement to police in the fact sheet.
In Acevedo’s statement, he said that he got a ride in the vehicle after leaving the Marley Homes basketball court. Once he got in the vehicle, he closed his eyes to take a nap because he was tired. Acevedo said he was awoken to a noise and opened his eyes. He then saw blue police lights. He corroborated the police account that the driver began to speed, and shortly after, the vehicle flipped. Acevedo stated that he heard shots fired from outside the vehicle and that none were discharged from inside the vehicle, contrary to both officers’ account in the fact sheet.
According to the fact sheet, a 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine and no cartridges was recovered in the vicinity of the vehicle. One magazine without cartridges was recovered several feet from one of the suspects. One live cartridge was also found in the vicinity of the vehicle. Forensics revealed that the gun was a ghost gun, unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home.
Upon forensics processing of the vehicle, three spent casings and four live cartridges were found. Bullet holes were observed to the front windshield and roof, indicating that shots were fired from inside the vehicle, as outlined in the fact sheet.
Attorney Yolan Brow-Ross requested that Acevedo post $1,000 towards bail, considering that this was his first contact with the justice system. Additional release conditions were requested, to include 24-hour house arrest without the use of electronic monitoring. In place of electronic monitoring, Attn. Brow-Ross proposed 24-hour monitoring by a third-party custodian and family member.
On the other hand, prosecuting attorney Mackiesh Taylor-Jones requested Acevedo post 10 percent of the original bail of $500,000 due to the nature of the alleged crimes committed. She argued, “Although the defendant does not have any prior history, these are some very serious allegations.”
Additionally, Attn. Taylor-Jones posed no objection with the defense’s proposition on house arrest and monitoring by a third-party custodian and family member.
Considering both council’s requests, Judge Morris ruled on the following pre-trial release conditions for Acevedo:
- Post $1,000 cash and sign an unsecured bond for $499,000
- 24-hour house arrest with electronic monitoring
- Third-party custodian
- Prohibited from leaving the St. Croix jurisdiction without the prior written permission of the court
- Surrender passport or not obtain one
- No direct or indirect contact with any witnesses or victims
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