An 80-year-old St. Croix man visiting the Christiansted public cemetery early Sunday morning to pay respects to his deceased wife was attacked with a machete and killed by a mentally ill transient, who took the deceased man’s shirt, pants and shoes, sources with knowledge of the incident told VI Consortium. The homicide was subsequently confirmed by Kevin Jackson, VIPD public information officer.
According to Jackson, police responded to a call at 9 a.m. of an assault in the cemetery. When officers arrived on the scene and searched the grounds, the body of an unresponsive male, later identified as Egbert Thomas, Sr., was found laying in the cemetery.
Police located the assault suspect after receiving information from a concerned citizen. The man was described as being a “homeless and mentally ill” man known to the Christiansted area. As officers approached the suspect, he began to hurl rocks and other items at police, who were eventually able to subdue, restrain and arrest the man. He was positively identified as the individual who attacked Thomas.
The uncooperative suspect, who had yet to give his name to officers, was taken into custody for further questioning. The incident is under investigation.
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