VIPD has not yet released a mugshot of the suspect. This story will be updated if one is provided.
ST. THOMAS — A Sunday morning foot patrol outside a Charlotte Amalie nightclub led to firearm and obstruction charges against John’Nicky Alfred after police say an off-duty officer alerted colleagues that Alfred was carrying a gun, prompting a chase, struggle, and the recovery of a stolen Glock modified for fully automatic firing.
Just before 5 a.m., officers on foot patrol outside the nightclub were approached by an off-duty police officer, who reported that a man wearing a red shirt had a firearm. Officers then spotted Alfred walking among the crowd of people leaving the club, identified themselves, and ordered him to stop.
According to police, Alfred immediately ran east on Veteran’s Drive Annex. He stopped after officers caught up with him and pointed their service weapons in his direction. Before being questioned, Alfred reportedly began denying that he had a firearm and resisted officers’ efforts to detain him.
A struggle followed as police attempted to place Alfred in handcuffs. During the tussle, one officer said they noticed a holster near Alfred’s waist. Moments later, an object reportedly struck the officer’s left foot. Police said it was a black handgun.
After seeing the weapon, officers moved quickly to secure it and remove it from Alfred’s reach, as well as from anyone else in the area. Alfred was then handcuffed and escorted to a marked police vehicle.
Police said Alfred also attempted to have a female bystander rip chains from his neck so they could be taken to his mother. Officers reportedly warned the woman that she could be arrested for obstruction, after which she stopped.
The firearm was identified as a Glock 26 that had been modified to allow fully automatic firing. Police said it was loaded with one 9mm round in the chamber and had a 17-round magazine attached. Based on the weapon’s inscribed serial number, police records indicated that the gun had been reported stolen during a burglary nearly seven years ago, in July 2019.
Alfred was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a conversion kit, possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition, delaying and obstructing an officer discharging duties, and resisting arrest.
He was remanded into custody pending his advice of rights hearing.
Records from Wednesday’s hearing before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull have not been made publicly available. However, the filing of a motion requesting modification of bail conditions indicates that the hearing occurred and that Alfred was granted release from detention ahead of trial.
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