JO - USVI cop arrested in Christmas Day shooting spree

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

USVI cop arrested in Christmas Day shooting spree

AP

Tuesday, January 01, 2008


CHARLOTTE AMALIE, US Virgin Islands (AP) - A police officer in the US Virgin Islands was arrested Sunday in connection with a Christmas Day shooting spree in a St Croix public housing project that killed two men.

Officer Jeffrey Brown, 29, and his alleged accomplice, Luis Melendez, were arrested on two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted murder, and four counts of first-degree assault, the territory's government said in a statement.

Brown and Melendez, 24, were held without bail pending a Superior Court hearing which was scheduled for yesterday.St Croix Police Chief Thomas Hannah said details of the allegations against Brown and Melendez were sealed as the criminal probe into the shooting spree continues.

Up to 30 rounds of ammunition were discharged by the two gunmen at the housing project, police allege. Detectives reported finding ammunition casings from three different types of weapons after the rampage.

Two men - 18-year-old Allen Burke and 33-year-old Kennyetta McIntosh - were killed, and four others sustained gunshot wounds.

Police said Melendez was also charged Sunday with attempted murder in connection with a November 23 shooting.