Mugshot of Michael Boyce. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after police say he brutally attacked a woman with a hammer in downtown Christiansted earlier this month, VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte confirmed to the Consortium Sunday.
According to a report from the VIPD's Criminal Investigation Bureau, the incident occurred on Saturday, October 4 at approximately 4:42 p.m. on Company Street in Christiansted.
Police were alerted after the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call from the Juan F. Luis Hospital Emergency Room, where the female victim had been admitted with severe injuries. Responding officers met with the woman, who told investigators that she had been struck in the head with a hammer, resulting in serious wounds.
Detectives later determined that the victim had been sitting in her vehicle talking to several individuals when the suspect, identified as Michael Boyce, approached and began arguing with her. During the altercation, Boyce allegedly attacked the victim with a hammer, striking her multiple times on the head and body.
According to police, the woman fell to the ground as Boyce continued the assault until an acquaintance intervened and pulled him away.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau launched an immediate probe into the incident. Following the investigation, a Superior Court judge signed an arrest warrant for Boyce on October 17. He was apprehended later that afternoon.
Upon arrest, Boyce was taken into custody and transported to the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station, where he declined to give a statement to investigators. He was formally charged with attempted murder, as well as first-degree assault, third-degree assault, and possession of a deadly weapon during a crime of violence.
Boyce was booked and unable to post bail, which was set at $100,000, and subsequently remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his Advice of Rights hearing scheduled for October 20, 2025.
The investigation was led by the Criminal Investigation Bureau under the supervision of Lieutenant Marisol Colon, Commander of CIB.
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