ST. CROIX — Detectives canvassing Old Fredensborg for witnesses following Tuesday's fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jahmarie Warden arrested a man after discovering a loaded firearm near bushes where he had been seen stooping, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The man, identified as Manuel Perez, was spotted by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Bureau as they searched the neighborhood for potential witnesses following the earlier reported homicide.
Police said detectives observed Perez stooping in bushes and subsequently inspected the area where he had been seen. During that inspection, officers discovered a loaded firearm.
Perez was placed under arrest and transported to the Criminal Investigation Bureau for processing. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, at the Superior Court in Kingshill.
The arrest occurred during the investigation into the killing of Warden, who was found unresponsive Tuesday morning near a vehicle damaged by gunfire. Police received a gunshot detection alert from the Old Fredensborg area at approximately 10:39 a.m., and responding emergency medical personnel subsequently determined that Warden showed no signs of life.
His death brought the territory's 2026 homicide count to 42, including 25 on St. Croix and 17 on St. Thomas, according to V.I. Consortium tracking corroborated by the VIPD.
The police release did not specify the charges against Perez or allege that he or the recovered firearm was connected to Warden's killing.
Anyone with information concerning criminal activity is encouraged to contact the VIPD at 340-778-2211, Crime Stoppers V.I. at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or 911.
