ST. CROIX — At his advise-of-rights hearing today, Lakeshan Graham, 21, above, who crashed into a police cruiser following the double homicide incident at the Altona Lagoon on Sunday, told a Superior Court judge that he was not involved in the incident, and denied even having a gun following the accident, let alone being the owner of a gun magazine and a shell casing that fell off the gun that police say Mr. Graham pointed at them.
Mr. Graham, who was handed a first charge of assault, with bail being set a $150,000, said when the shooting broke out, he was given a ride in someone’s vehicle, then got aboard his vehicle that was ostensibly parked near the Altona Lagoon’s entrance, and sped away. But an eyewitness said contrary to Mr. Graham’s statement, the vehicle that crashed into the police cruiser was seen circling the Lagoon prior to the shooting.
He was remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center, as he’s awaiting trial, after failing to make the $150,000 bail. Police are still building their case, and Mr. Graham is expected to receive additional charges if police manage to strengthen the evidence.
Lakeshan Graham
According to Police Commissioner Delroy Richards, speaking to The Consortium on Monday, following the incident that left two 18-year-olds dead at the Altona Lagoon, a car that sped out of the Lagoon subsequent to the shooting, crashed into a police cruiser after refusing to yield at a stop sign on King Street near the old Scotia Bank building, which is now occupied by a credit union.
Police allege that Mr. Graham, who was accompanied by a 16-year-old minor, his brother, exited the vehicle and pointed a gun at the police sergeant driving the cruiser — even after police told the suspect to place his both hands on the vehicle. But before Mr. Graham could fire, the magazine fell off, Mr. Richards made known, so Mr. Graham fled the area and left his brother sitting in the vehicle, who police detained.
It was not clear how, after crashing into a police vehicle, that Mr. Graham managed to not only point his gun at officers, but also elude them — allowing him to escape with the firearm.
The 16-year-old was detained immediately. However, Mr. Graham was apprehended later in the day by detectives, according to the commissioner.
Police were able to recover the magazine and one spent shell casing. And they are attempting to link the ammunition and shell casing to evidence gathered at the Lagoon.
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