Rasheed Knight. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department is searching for a man wanted for striking a teammate with a baseball bat on Friday night, an assault that fractured the victim's skull.
As of Saturday evening, the victim was said to be on life support and was awaiting airlift availability to be flown out of the territory for further medical care. Physicians at the Juan F. Luis Medical Center have said the injuries are severe and the victim's chances of survival are low.
According to V.I.P.D. Criminal Investigation Bureau Commander, Naomi Joseph, the suspect, identified as Rasheed Knight, and the victim are members of the same baseball team, and they were at the Canegata Ballpark Friday night with other team members about to commence a game. However, the coach told Knight that he would not be playing during Friday's game.
"Mr. Knight got upset with the coach and was bantering back and forth," Commander Joseph explained. She said the victim then addressed Knight, telling him to listen to the coach's directive, at which point Knight became enraged and struck the victim in the head with the baseball bat.
"The suspect got upset and hit the boy in the head with a bat, cracked his skull and now the victim is bleeding in his brain, he has air in his brain and the doctor said it doesn't look good. He may not make it," Commander Joseph said.
VIPD detectives attempted to contact Knight but were unsuccessful, prompting the department to issue a wanted poster for Knight, who has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, and first-degree assault, Commander Joseph said.
Knight, age 25, stands 6 feet tall and weighs 250 pounds, according to the VIPD. He has a light complexion and lives in Christiansted town. The suspect is known to frequent the Harbor View Housing Community in Christiansted, according to police.
The VIPD is urging anyone who knows the whereabouts of Rasheed Knight to call the VIPD's Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-4950, or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers USVI here.
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