A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the Feb. 2 shooting death of 21-year-old Wellington Pennyfeather Jr. Detectives on St. Croix arrested 23-year-old Juan Ilaraza, also known as "Jaunky," at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
According to the V.I. Police Department, after Pennyfeather was killed a warrant was issued for Ilaraza’s arrest. Police received information that Ilaraza fled to Orlando, where he was later detained by law enforcement officers.
VIPD detectives brought Ilaraza back to the territory to face charges of first degree murder, first degree assault, third degree assault, first degree robbery, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, failure to report firearms obtained outside or brought into the Virgin Islands, possession of ammunition, first degree reckless endangerment and unauthorized possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
Ilaraza was held without bail and remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.
According to police reports at the time of the killing, police believed Pennyfeather had an argument with one or more people at the Frederiksted Vegetable Market on Feb. 2 and was shot as he ran from the area. On March 6, Ronald E. Bogan was arrested on Puerto Rico, extradited to the territory and charged with first degree murder.
Detectives said a third suspect connection to the killing is still at large. Police are following all leads in this case and appreciate the continued support from the community.
St. Croix, used to be a peaceful place. The entire family went to church and we sang songs to praise God. He was with our islands then. Then one day, the man of the house decided to go look for his salvation in the bar. Lolita, became his savior and Hennessey, his comforter. The mommy could no longer concentrate on praising God because her mind was on daddy and Lolita. She, too, strayed from the church. The child decided to follow the example of mommy and daddy…no church. Later, the child idolized the gun. He worships it today. He praises it and loves it…his new god. I am 100% sure, if the family starts going back to church, God will bring His peace back to our islands. Can you give up the Lolitas, the Hennessy, and the guns for God? Our future depends on what we do today.
Get the fuck out here with all that church shit god nah go save us, we must do for our selves