Mugshots of Kevon Barclette, left, and Shemar Coward. By. THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — The V.I. Police Department has released the names and mugshots of two individuals arrested four hours after the shooting and robbery at the Glitter's jewelry store in Havensight Saturday, an incident that left two victims critically wounded.
The victims, a security guard working at Glitter's and a patron shopping for items for family members, were rushed to the Schneider Regional Medical Center and have gradually improved. The incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m.
During the Gov't House press briefing Monday, St. Thomas Police Chief Barrington Thomas Sr. announced that Kevon Barclette, 20 of the Paul M. Pearson Gardens and Shemar Coward, 21 of Water Bay Condominiums were taken into custody at about 3:00 p.m. Saturday after they were found in a vehicle with a third individual who managed to escape.
Chief Thomas said members of a V.I.P.D. special response team (SRT) tried to stop the vehicle, however the persons of interest exited with a bag that stored a firearm. SRT members ordered the men to freeze, however one of the suspects attempted to retrieve the firearm from the bag, at which point officers fired their weapon and two of the suspects were subdued while one escaped, Chief Thomas said.
Chief Thomas said two firearms were recovered. According to Police Spokesman Toby Derima, the men were charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, and they remained in custody as of Tuesday while police continue their investigation to determine whether they were the same individuals who were involved in the shooting and robbery incident.
"We are still trying to connect the dots to find out whether these individuals are tied into the Havensight robbery," Chief Thomas said. "We cannot tolerate these kinds of behaviors within our shores."
