Update 2: The V.I. Police Department has confirmed the arrest of a 15-year-old male in connection with the fatal shooting of beloved local comedian and artist Jordan “Dutty Heart” Jones, which took place in broad daylight on the Christiansted Boardwalk on Thursday. Details here.
Update 1: The V.I. Police Department has confirmed to the Consortium that a suspect is in custody in connection with Thursday afternoon’s shooting near the Christiansted Boardwalk. While declining to release further details, VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte described the situation as fluid, but noted that the suspect will remain in custody. Additional information, he said, will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Original Story: ST. CROIX — A broad daylight shooting along the Christiansted Boardwalk on Thursday has left the Virgin Islands reeling after the death of Jordan “Dutty Heart” Jones, a beloved local comedian and artist known for his dynamic presence and deep cultural resonance across the territory.
The St. Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received multiple calls at approximately 12:52 p.m. on Thursday reporting that two men had been shot near The Mill on the Christiansted Boardwalk. Emergency personnel from the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), EMS, Criminal Investigation Bureau, and Forensics Unit responded swiftly to the scene.
According to VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte, an unidentified male dressed in dark clothing and wearing a hoodie approached the two victims and engaged in a physical altercation. The suspect then produced a firearm and opened fire, grazing one man — who sustained non-life-threatening injuries — and shooting Jones multiple times.
Both men were transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital, where Jones, 38, succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled on foot, heading west along the boardwalk, and remains at large.
Jones, better known in the entertainment world as Dutty Heart, was a multifaceted talent deeply embedded in St. Croix’s creative culture. Known for his sharp comedic timing and ability to blend humor with Caribbean identity, Jones had built a loyal following through performances that captured the heart and humor of Virgin Islands life.
His skits, such as the viral “IF J.C. WAS FROM ST. CROIX”, resonated widely on social media, where he regularly entertained audiences with satire rooted in local dialect and daily experiences. His impact stretched beyond online spaces; Jones graced local stages including the Velvet Haze Lounge in Christiansted and participated in island-wide events such as “Fresh Comedy on Da Rock” at The Castle Grill in St. Thomas.
His death leaves a painful void in the territory’s cultural and entertainment community.
“The investigation is fluid,” said Dratte, “and we’re asking the community to provide any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.”
No arrests have been made at this time. The VIPD is actively investigating and urges anyone with relevant information, video footage, or eyewitness accounts to contact 911 or the St. Croix Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 778-2211.
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