Mugshot of Kennedy Pascal. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man suspected of being behind a September gunfire incident in the Hospital Ground area has been arrested and charged with several firearm offenses.
According to court documents, on September 28, police responded to reports of shots fired near a bar in the Hospital Ground area of St. Thomas. Surveillance footage from the bar from that day showed two men firing gunshots in the air and toward each other, less than approximately 200 feet away from the Lionel Roberts Stadium and the Winston Raymo Recreational Center.
One of the men from the video was reportedly identified as Kennedy Pascal. Police say that he and the other man – identified as Oscar Penn and arrested for his part in the matter earlier this month – could be seen on the footage speaking to one another, when the second man adjusted his pants, causing a handgun to fall onto the ground. Penn, according to police, quickly retrieved the weapon and tucked it back into his waistband. He then reportedly left, heading east on Old Hospital Road.
Pascal reportedly followed him as far as the intersection, before police say he pulled a gun from his right pocket and fired a number of rounds into the air. He then pointed the gun towards Penn, walking towards him while still firing.
Neither Pascal nor Penn have a license to possess a firearm in the Virgin Islands, according to police.
When Pascal was arrested, he was charged with willful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm within 1000 feet of a community center, unlawful possession of ammunition, first degree reckless endangerment, brandishing or exhibiting a deadly weapon, and disturbing the police.
Penn was charged similarly when he was arrested on December 10, with the addition of charges of delaying & obstructing, as well as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly found with approximately 90 ounces of marijuana parceled out into 14 separate baggies.
Pascal appeared before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull on Monday, however no records of the advice of rights hearing have been made available to the public as of press time.
His arraignment is scheduled for January 10, while Mr. Penn will face the court on December 27 for his arraignment.
