A 28-year-old man has been arrested on firearms charges as part of the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of US Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) officer Eustace Charles.

Ra’Kheel Velazquez was taken into custody following a law enforcement operation in the Williams Delight housing community on St Croix, where Charles, a 51-year-old Executive Security Officer assigned to the VIPD’s Executive Security Unit, was fatally shot on July 26.

According to police, detectives investigating Charles’ death received information that suspects had fled the area in a black four-door Hyundai without license plates. 

During a national address, Bryan said Charles’ vehicle was blocked by several individuals who opened fire on him. The governor said police used camera footage to identify vehicles believed to be connected to the attack and that several arrests had been made, with firearms also recovered.

Officers later located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Police said Velazquez exited the vehicle and fled on foot while carrying a firearm. 

Officers pursued and detained him, recovering the weapon.

During a search of a residence where Velazquez was last seen, law enforcement officers recovered an additional firearm and other related items, the VIPD said.

The operation involved the VIPD, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Special Operations personnel.

Police said Velazquez was taken to the Wilbur H Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his rights and admitted ownership of both firearms.

He was charged with two counts of carrying a firearm openly or concealed during the commission of a crime of violence and two counts of possession or sale of ammunition.

Bail was set at US$50,000, which Velazquez was unable to post. 

He was remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing.