Police on Tuesday arrested 43-year-old Timothy Davidson of Christiansted in the death of a street person, whose body was found earlier in the day near the Customs House.
According to Melody Rames, VIPD public information officer, Davidson told police that at about 5 a.m. he got into a fight with the victim, who has been identified only by the nickname "Duke." Police say the suspect told them he punched the victim, who fell, but said the victim then got up and walked away.
"Duke’s" body was found at about 7:30 a.m. National Park staff saw the man in a sitting position under the Custom House archway. Upon closer inspection the staff saw there was blood on the victim and bottles of rum nearby. Police and emergency medical technicians were called to the scene.
It was the 59th homicide in the territory since the first of the year.
The initial police investigation revealed that the dead man may have been injured at the gazebo and walked several feet to the Customs House where he later died.
Police said the victim was a homeless person. The case is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Bureau as a murder, and detectives urge anyone who may have any information on this incident to call them at 712- 6037, 712-6077, 712-6075 or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.