ST. THOMAS — A 23-year-old man employed at the Viking Corporation, a moving company in St. Thomas, was shot dead in the company’s break room early Wednesday, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte has announced.
The incident, which occurred at about 8:27 a.m., stunned Viking Corporation employees, according to Mr. Dratte, who said police had yet to establish a motive for the shooting. The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Russell Moolenar, and “went from zero to 100 and shot the victim,” Mr. Dratte said.
The victim, who was identified as Bariki George, sustained several gunshot wounds about his body, according to police. Emergency medical technicians on the scene found not vital signs on the victim, who was identified by family members.
Mr. Moolenar had escaped for about 20 minutes, Mr. Dratte said, causing the Lockhart Elementary School to activate a shutdown status for safety. The suspect told police he threw away the gun in some bushes, however, it was not clear whether the weapon was recovered by police at time of writing.
Mr. Moolenar was charged with first-degree murder and remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing, after failing to make bail of $1 million.
This case is presently under investigation by the V.I.P.D.’s Major Crimes Unit. Persons with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Investigation Bureau at (340)774-2211 ext. 5569 or (340)715-5535. You man also contact Crime Stoppers USVI with an anonymous tip here.
Tags: Bariki George, Russell Moolenar
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