Mugshot of Miguel A. Marrero. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Last updated at 5:58 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024
ST. CROIX — In a recent update to the July 4th shooting incident in the Candido Guadalupe Terrace housing community, suspect Miguel A. Marrero appeared before Judge Ernest Morris Jr. on Friday. He faced multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree assault, third-degree assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm within 100 feet of a school, possession of ammunition, first-degree reckless endangerment, child abuse, intentional discharge of a firearm, brandishing a deadly weapon, using a deadly weapon in a fight, disturbing the peace by fighting, and instigating or aiding a fight.
Judge Morris found probable cause to uphold all the charges against Marrero and increased his bail from $75,000 to $150,000, the full amount payable in cash. If Marrero secures his release ahead of trial, he will be placed under 24-hour house arrest with electronic monitoring and must provide a suitable third-party custodian to the court.
The incident occurred when Marrero allegedly opened fire following a confrontation regarding a fight between his son and the victim's daughter. According to the V.I. Police Department, at approximately 5:40 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of two gunshot victims. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victims, an adult female and her 15-year-old daughter.
According to the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Marrero was encouraging his 17-year-old son, who was engaged in a physical altercation with the adult victim’s 15-year-old daughter. The mother confronted Marrero about the fight, during which he allegedly pulled out a firearm and discharged several shots, hitting the adult female once in the back and shooting her daughter twice. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated locally, confirms the shooting.
The victims were transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital via ambulance. The adult female underwent emergency surgery and is listed in serious condition, while her daughter was treated for her injuries and released.
Marrero fled the scene but was apprehended by Special Operations Bureau units in the Sion Farm area shortly after the shooting. He was transported to the Criminal Investigation Bureau, where he provided a statement admitting to the shootings.
Marrero was placed under arrest and booked. He was unable to post the initial $75,000 bond and was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility. With the updated charges and increased bail, his next court appearance is scheduled for July 24.
