Lawrence Powell, Jr. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. JOHN — A verbal altercation in the wee hours of Saturday morning on St. John ultimately led to a shooting that left a male victim in critical condition, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima has announced.
According to Mr. Derima, on Jan. 4 at approximately 2:09 a.m., police were notified of a gunshot victim on the ground in the area of the Bayside Mini Mart in Cruz Bay. Officers spoke to a witness at the scene who stated that the victim was in a verbal dispute with an unknown individual. The witness also said that the victim also shouted to her to move out the way and suddenly fell to the ground. The witness noticed that the male victim was bleeding profusely. The witness said she did not know who may have fired gunshots at the victim, according to police.
The victim was transported to the Myrah Keating Clinic in Cruz Bay for treatment, then transported to St. Thomas, where he was then taken by ambulance to the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital for additional treatment. The victim sustained gunshot wounds about the body and is in critical condition.
Suspect Arrested
At 11:03 a.m., Lawrence Powell, Jr., age 30 of Grunwald, turned himself in to police after learning that he was wanted for the assault. Mr. Powell admitted to shooting the victim, and was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree assault. Mr. Powell was unable to post $75,000 bail and was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing.
This case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone with any information regarding this crime is urged to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211, extension 5579 or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS.
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