The V.I. Police Department on Saturday identified the man killed in a shootout with officers Friday morning and provided details of the incident.
Major Crime detectives on St. Thomas are investigating the disturbance that led to one man being injured in a scuffle in the Tutu residential community and a second – identified by police as 23-year-old O’Benson Antoine – fatally wounded by police officers investigating the incident.
It was the 12th homicide on St. Thomas in 2014, the 22nd in the territory.
In a news release issued Saturday,m the V.I. Police Department gave the following sequence of events.
At about 10:24 a.m. Friday police were dispatched to a disturbance involving several people. Minutes later dispatchers notified police that shots had been fired in the same area.
Police investigation reported that members of Antoine’s family confronted members of a towing company’s family because Antoine’s vehicle had been towed from the Red Hook business district a few hours before. Antoine, his sister and others went to retrieve the vehicle and an altercation occurred between them and towing company family.
One person, later identified as Miguel Jerson, who accompanied Antoine, displayed a firearm.
Family members of the towing company wrestled with Jerson; the firearm discharged and Jerson was shot in the leg. Antoine’s group then returned to their vehicle and was departing the area when responding officers arrived. Police followed the vehicle and stopped it in the area of Cassi Hill.
Officers ordered the occupants to get out of the vehicles and all four occupants did. However officers said Antoine returned to the vehicle and was seen reaching for a firearm. Antoine was fatally shot after police ordered him to stop and Antoine refused to comply.
A 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the vehicle.
Police arrested several people, including Antoine’s sister, Nellie Antoine; Miguel Jerson and Shamal Gabriel. They were charged with violations that include unauthorized possession of a firearm; constructed possession of a firearm; assault third degree; destruction of government property, trespassing and disturbance of the peace.
Jerson’s bail was set at $75,000, Nellie Antoine’s at $45,000 and Gabriel’s at $35,000. Failing to post bail, the three arrestees were turned over to the Bureau of Corrections pending Advice of Rights hearings.
The investigation into this case is assigned to the Major Crimes Unit, Internal Affairs Bureau and the Office of the Attorney General. Anyone with information can contact the VIPD Major Crimes Unit at 1340-642-8449, the Internal Affairs Bureau at 1340-774-2452, the 911 Emergency center or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers VI, at 1-800-222-8477
1-800-222-8477. People with information can also send a text to Crime Stoppers: send “USVI” plus the message, to CRIMES, or 274637.
