Man held at airport in Rambaran murder case

Police arrested a 21-year-old man at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas after he attempted to depart the territory, accusing him of involvement in the death of J'Niya Rambaran, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.

Kevin Warrell came to the attention of detectives after they examined surveillance video and reviewed investigative leads. On October 3, officers learned Warrell was at the airport preparing to leave and moved to detain him, then transported him to the Richard N. Callwood Command.

Warrell faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. A judge set his bail at 1 million dollars. He was held at the Bureau of Corrections without posting bail, awaiting an Advice of Rights hearing.

Rambaran, 21, died in the early hours of September 28 after being shot on Veterans Drive. The police department's gunshot detection system picked up multiple shots around 1 a.m. Officers who responded found her with at least one gunshot wound and took her to Schneider Regional Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The arrest came five days after the shooting. VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte told the Consortium that swift case resolution depends on community cooperation with investigators.

Rambaran's death raised St. Thomas's 2024 homicide toll to 17 and the islands' total to 39. The police ask anyone with details about the case to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-774-2211, call 911, or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS.