Mugshot of Rosnel Diaz-Bautista. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A shooting incident early Sunday morning in Frederiksted has left a young woman dead, with her former intimate partner now facing first-degree murder charges, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at approximately 12:55 a.m., when the VIPD’s ShotSpotter system alerted the 911 Emergency Call Center to gunshots fired on King’s Street, Frederiksted. According to the VIPD, shortly afterward, several concerned citizens reported to 911 that a woman had been shot inside a black vehicle on the same street.
During their investigation, detectives from the VIPD's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) learned that a light-skinned male, identified as the suspect, had approached the vehicle where the victim, 24-year-old Indierra Morales, was sitting. The suspect, described as wearing a grey hoodie, long dark jeans, and sporting a low afro, reportedly kept both hands tucked inside his hoodie as he approached. A second female at the scene was heard screaming at the shooter not to proceed, but the man opened fire with a handgun, shooting Morales multiple times.
The assailant then stopped shooting, tucked his hands back inside his hoodie, and fled the scene, running toward Hill Street.
The VIPD later identified the suspect as Rosnel Diaz-Bautista, 22 years old, who is believed to be Morales’s former intimate partner. Diaz-Bautista was swiftly detained and transported to the Wilbur Francis Command, where he was formally arrested and charged with first-degree murder. His bail was set at $1 million.
The victim’s body was transported by ambulance to the Gov. Juan Luis Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 1:39 a.m. by the attending emergency room physician.
The victim, Indierra Morales, was identified by her next of kin following the fatal shooting.
The VIPD continues its investigation, and Glen Dratte, VIPD Director of Communications, confirmed the department's commitment to pursuing justice in this case.
