Charges Announced in Murder of St. Croix Jeweler Kailash Banani

ST. CROIX — In early 2019, Kailash Banani, owner of the Panache Jewelry store, was fatally shot near the entrance of Mount Welcome, in what appeared to be a robbery or carjacking. This week, Rakem Angel Hendrickson was indicted in connection with Banani's death.

The federal indictment charges Hendrickson with carjacking resulting in death, first-degree premeditated murder, and first-degree felony murder, though the document provides limited details about the crime itself or Hendrickson's arrest.

According to police reports from the time, Banani was driving home from his store when his 2008 Mercedes Benz E-350 was struck from behind by another vehicle. Upon exiting his car, Banani—who was a well-known businessman on St. Croix and a husband and father of two—was ambushed and shot multiple times.

Hendrickson appeared in court on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Emile Henderson III, with a detention hearing scheduled for Friday.