CHRISTIANSTED — A 53-year-old St. Croix boat owner is in custody today after being accused of trying to shoot the owner of St. Croix Marine over a payment dispute.

Police said that Festus Pemberton had been arrested after allegedly firing at least one gunshot on the grounds of St. Croix Marine that according to a reliable source ricocheted and hit STX Marine President and General Manager George Custer as a bullet fragment.

“Festus Pemberton was asked by the owner of St. Croix Marine, to pay his bill or leave the property,” said “Linda” told the V.I. Free Press.  “Festus became belligerent , pulled his gun, threatened to kill George Custer, the OWNER of the business, and fired his weapon.  He hit the owner, George Custer, in the leg.”

The source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the V.I. Freep that Pemberton was a bad shot — and did not directly hit Custer after pointing a gun at him and firing — the bullet hit something else first, fracturing, and then hit the owner of St. Croix Marine.

“George Custer was the intended target and was, indeed, injured!,” “Linda,” who said that she is Custer’s wife, said. “Festus Pemberton did not fire inside the office, nor did he fire any more rounds after hitting George Custer.  I know my information to be entirely correct as I am the wife of the victim!!”

The reliable source said that a “bullet fragment” was indeed removed from Custer’s leg.

Police were immediately dispatched to St. Croix Marine in Gallows Bay to respond to the shooting incident that had been reported.

Then the 911 Emergency Call Center relayed to police in the field that the alleged suspect was “Festus Pemberton” who had left the scene driving a black GMC truck.

A police officer in the area immediately transmitted via radio that she was driving behind the suspect Pemberton’s vehicle and she conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle right away.

Police at the traffic stop scene found Pemberton standing behind the rear of his black GMC truck.

At that time, Pemberton was detained and placed in the back seat of a marked VIPD Police Unit without incident.

To see video of a police traffic stop about the same time of the Pemberton incident, please view the Virgin Islands Free Press‘ Facebook page for video of the aftermath of the shooting.

Police said that Pemberton got into an argument with another man and subsequently fired gunshots at him.

The intended target of the shooting was not injured in any way by the errant shooting of Pemberton, according to police.

Pemberton was arrested on the scene by an alert and adroit VIPD and charged with first-degree assault.

He remanded to Golden Grove Detention Center pending an Advice of Rights hearing, police said.

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