St. Croix Homicide Case Breakthrough: Two Arrested

ST. CROIX — The V.I.Police Department has provided new details on the investigation into the February 26, 2021, shooting death of 30-year-old Kevin Jerome of Williams Delights, resulting in the arrests of Darren Bess and Ian Benjamin Jr.

Responding to a 911 call at 9:57 a.m. that day, VIPD officers arrived on Main Street in Williams Delights to find Jerome suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the head, next to an SUV that had multiple bullet holes. Jerome was quickly transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. A parent later identified him.

VIPD's investigation led to the discovery that Bess and Benjamin Jr. had conspired to murder Jerome. The probe linked Benjamin directly to the murder, finding that he had used the same firearm in crimes committed before and after Jerome's death. Benjamin was apprehended with the weapon in his possession.