Female Minor Stabbed In St. Thomas J’ouvert During Last Lap

ST. THOMAS — Just as j’ouvert morning reveling was coming to a close near the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall on Thursday morning at about 10:00 a.m., a stabbing incident occurred — erasing an extra 20 minutes Poizon Band members say law enforcement officers had given them to continue playing.

VI Consortium was on the scene during the incident, where a chaotic set of events started to unfold. Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) officers came through on ATVs with sirens blaring to meet with the special forces unit and National Guard personnel already on the scene where a female had stabbed a minor.

Police Supervisor Sgt. Leroy Francis confirmed to VI Consortium that a minor had indeed been stabbed in the stomach, however he did not know at the time how severe the injury was, nor did he know who had committed the violent act.

The stabbing victim was transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center, where she later told police officers during an interview her version of what occurred.

According to VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson, the victim said while she was at J’ouvert in the area between the legislature building and Coney Island, she became embroiled in a physical altercation with a young woman later identified as Valisha Molina.

The victim, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and subsequently released, said that during the altercation, Molina stabbed her with a small pocket knife.

Molina, 18 of Estate Bovoni was later arrested and charged with 3rd degree assault, after waiving her rights and admitting to having stabbed the victim during their altercation.

Unable to post bail set at $25,000, Molina was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending her advise-of-rights hearing, Jackson said.

Feature Image: Police hold suspects for questioning during Thursday morning’s stabbing incident.