USVI: St Croix man arrested after shooting gun into the air during confrontation (2024)

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- A man is facing charges of reckless endangerment and brandishing a firearm after admitting to police officers that he shot an unlicensed firearm into the air in an attempt to intimidate a rival.‌

On Wednesday evening, June 26, 2024, police were dispatched to Harbor View Apartments to investigate a possible shooting. Responding officers encountered a man on Erik Lawaetz Drive who fit the description given by 911 operators. He was ordered to the ground, and as police approached, he notified them that he had a gun in his waistband.

'Rust-coloured revolver & black pistol' recovered

Officers quickly searched him and discovered the weapon — a rust-coloured revolver — tucked into the right side of his waistband. The man, later identified as Annquan Wilkes, then told officers about a second firearm in his backpack. Police retrieved a black pistol with an extended magazine from the bag. Upon questioning, Wilkes admitted that he was not licensed to possess or carry a firearm in the USVI. He was then transported to the Ancilmo Marshall Command police station for questioning.‌

Police also spoke to a man who said that he was the target of Wilkes’s aggression. He told officers that he was on the phone speaking to his friend on Wednesday evening, when his friend suggested they meet up at a location just east of Harbor View Apartments. The man set off for the meeting point, and while he was walking towards Harbor View’s southern gate, he said he encountered Wilkes heading in the same direction. The man said he exited the gate and stopped nearby, and shortly thereafter Wilkes walked past him, reportedly muttering something that the man was unable to discern. When questioned about what he said, Wilkes reportedly just glowered.‌

As the man’s friend came into view, Wilkes is reported to have removed a firearm from his waistband, aimed it skywards, and discharged one round. That prompted the two other men to flee in different directions. The man told police that while he does not know Wilkes personally, he receives angry glares every time they encounter each other.‌

'Stop watching me like that'

Under questioning, Wilkes essentially corroborated the man’s story. He said that he told the man to “stop watching me like that,” according to documents before the court. He recounted seeing the man’s friend approach in a black truck, and told police that he drew his gun when the man on the sidewalk began to approach.

Wilkes said that the sight of the firearm prompted the other man to panic and run, and that’s when he shot once into the air. The black truck sped off at that point. He reportedly told police that he fired his weapon because “in my mind, they feel like I is a clown.” After discharging his weapon, he continued on his journey before being intercepted by police.

'Ghost gun'

Forensic technicians identified the black revolver as a 9mm “ghost gun” - an unserialized firearm assembled from components – loaded with one round, and carrying 22 rounds in the extended magazine. The gun found in the suspect’s waistband was a .22 caliber revolver of unknown make, loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.

Wilkes was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, unauthorized possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unauthorized possession of ammunition, discharging or aiming a firearm, brandishing, exhibiting or using deadly weapons, and disturbance of the peace. He was remanded into custody to await his advice of rights hearing.

In court on Thursday, Judge Ernest Morris Jr. set bail at $50,000, allowing Wilkes to post $5000 in cash to secure his release ahead of trial. The remainder will be signed as an unsecured bond. However, during a bail hearing on Friday, Wilkes was unable to provide the court with a suitable third-party custodian or place of residence. He therefore remains in custody while the matter was continued to July 1, 2024.