Coki Point Beach in St. Thomas. The VIPD has not released mugshots of the suspects; this story will be updated if they are provided.
ST. THOMAS — A robbery at Coki Point Beach on Tuesday afternoon escalated into a gunfight that left one man wounded and resulted in the arrest of two men on multiple charges, according to court documents.
Police were dispatched to the popular beach after receiving reports of shots fired, the records state. Upon arrival, officers reportedly discovered several spent shell casings scattered across the scene and observed what appeared to be fresh blood in the parking lot.
After obtaining permission to review surveillance footage from the parking area, investigators pieced together the sequence of events that they believe led to the exchange of gunfire.
The footage showed two men standing in the lot engaged in conversation. One of the men was identified as Mohammed B. Mohammad. While Mohammad was speaking with the other individual, Albert Lindo was seen emerging from beneath a white tent and approaching the pair.
According to police, Lindo confronted Mohammad and yanked a gold chain from around his neck. The footage reportedly shows Mohammad walking away from Lindo with his hands raised, while Lindo followed him.
Investigators reviewing the footage then observed Mohammad turn around, remove a firearm from his waistband, and fire several shots at Lindo. Lindo is seen pulling out his own firearm and returning fire.
Officers noted that Lindo was wounded during the exchange.
Before reviewing the surveillance footage, police had already encountered Lindo at a hospital, where he was seeking treatment for gunshot injuries. At that time, he told officers that he did not know who was shooting and claimed he had simply been standing in the roadway when he was struck by a bullet.
After viewing the video evidence, officers confronted Lindo again. He then told them that he had seen two men fighting and was attempting to break up the altercation when he was shot. Lindo initially denied taking anyone’s chain, but when informed that the surveillance footage showed him doing so, he suggested the jewelry may have broken during the fight he said he had tried to separate. He maintained that he had not taken the chain and also denied possessing a firearm.
Police arrested Lindo and charged him with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of an unlicensed firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm on a beach, grand larceny, possession of stolen property, and disturbance of the peace.
According to police, Lindo asked whether returning the chain would prevent his arrest. Later, he reportedly contacted someone who brought the chain to the police station. Despite its return, officers proceeded with booking him. During the booking process, police said Lindo became hostile and made threats to kill the family of at least one of the officers involved. He was remanded into custody pending his initial court appearance.
The following day, Mohammad contacted the Criminal Investigation Bureau and offered to cooperate with the investigation. Hours later, a firearm that had reportedly been removed from Mohammad after the shooting was brought to police.
Mohammad told officers that the firearm was one he believed had been left behind by a passenger in his gypsy taxi. He said he noticed the weapon just before exiting the vehicle at Coki Point and placed it in his waistband out of safety concerns.
Mohammad stated that after his chain was taken, he attempted to leave the area. When he realized Lindo was pursuing him, he said he turned and fired one shot. He claimed that he was then surrounded by multiple individuals with firearms and feared for his life. Mohammad said he managed to return to his vehicle and fled to safety.
After admitting he did not possess a valid Virgin Islands firearm license, Mohammad was arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm. He was released pending his initial court appearance after a $50,000 bail requirement was paid on his behalf.
Both men are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Julie Smith Todman on Friday morning.
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