Kertis Tonge Jr. convicted of murder

Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced Wednesday that a jury convicted 34-year-old Kertis Tonge, Jr. of Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Reckless Endangerment, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, and Unauthorized Possession of Ammunition in the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Quanza Heath.

The Honorable Judge Ernest E. Morris, Jr. of the Virgin Islands Superior Court presided over the trial. Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025.

On October 23, 2024, Kertis Tonge, Jr. went uninvited to a Lorraine Village Apartment shortly before noon. After getting into a dispute with the occupants, he intentionally shot and killed Heath, who was inside of the apartment. In total he fired three shots into the apartment occupied by Heath, an adult female, and multiple children. After a citizen called 911, responding officers found Quanza with multiple gunshot wounds and quickly transported him to Juan F. Luis Hospital for emergency treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

“This victory for justice was made possible by the dedication of prosecutors Robert Pickett and Jasmin Griffin, the DOJ support staff, the VIPD, the witnesses who testified, and the jury members who upheld the law. Our communities are safer when people engage in the justice system, and the DOJ is grateful to those who step forward to build a safer, more just future. We remain committed to protecting our communities and pursuing justice for victims and their families,” said Attorney General Rhea.