Nov. 21, 2006 — St. Croix Police have arrested 32-year-old Ivan Petric Jr. in connection with a triple homicide in Estate La Vallee that was discovered by police at approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
According a release issued Tuesday evening, Petric, a resident of Estate La Vallee, has been initially charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm.
According to the release, Petric is believed to be involved in the deaths of a 69-year old female, a 75-year-old male and a 31-year-old male — all residents of Estate La Vallee, St. Croix. (In an earlier Source report, police had identified the victims as a "father, mother and child.")
According to preliminary police reports, police were dispatched to the area at approximately 8:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a vehicle blocking a driveway. Officers responding to the call also received information that shots had been discharged in the area. In the course of conducting a follow-up investigation, officers discovered the bodies of the slain individuals.
Police are withholding the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Herminio Velazquez says police are investigating the circumstances of the homicides and are considering that the incident may have stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Anyone with information on this crime or any incident is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau hotline at (340) 778-4950 or 911.