Jiovani Smith and Calijah Brewley By. VIPD
ST. CROIX — Police have arrested 20-year-old Jiovani Smith of Mount Pleasant and 19-year-old Calijah Brewley of Marley Homes, in connection with the Friday afternoon shooting in Estate Paradise that left a mother and daughter injured. A young boy was also in the vehicle, but he was not injured by gunfire, police said.
The family was driving in Estate Paradise in the vicinity of the abandoned Evelyn Williams Elementary School on Friday afternoon, and were said to be looking for an apartment to rent when they were shot at by at least three assailants who investigators believe took a preemptive strike at a vehicle they thought had occupants looking to harm them.
According to V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima, while the arrests were made Friday night, the mugshots of the suspects were provided today.
The men were charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm openly or concealed, possession of ammunition, and discharging or aiming a firearm.
Mr. Derima said Smith and Brewley were identified as two of the individuals who shot the two females Friday afternoon.
A 17-year-old male minor, identified as the third suspect, was also detained in this matter, Mr. Derima said.
Unable to make bail of $75,000, both Smith and Brewley were remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending their advisement hearing.
