Major Lee Womack, 25, has been arrested and held without bail on charges of first degree murder and first degree robbery in connection with the March 22 slaying of Egbert Thomas, Sr. of St. Croix’s Anna’s Hope neighborhood while the 80-year-old man was visiting the grave site of his deceased wife at the Christiansted public cemetery.
Details of the arrest was released by VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson on Monday night. Police say Womack, a mentally ill transient known to traverse the Christiansted area, had been squatting in one of the structures in the cemetery at about 9 a.m. Sunday.
A concerned citizen called 911 and told dispatchers of an individual striking someone with an object in the cemetery. Officers arriving on the scene discovered Thomas’ body and as they approached the suspect, he began hurling rocks and other items at officers. Police were eventually able to subdue, restrain and arrest the assailant, who was later positively identified as Womack.
Jackson said police preliminary investigation revealed that Thomas sustained multiple lacerations to the head, chest and forearm. His wallet, along with his shoes and hat had been stolen by Womack.
On the day of the slaying, sources with direct knowledge of the incident told VI Consortium that Thomas was attacked with a machete and that after the slaying, his shirt, pants and shoes were stolen.
Womack has been remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix without bail.
Feature Image: Mugshot of Major Lee Womack provided by the VIPD
Tags: st. croix cemetery slaying
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