CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas moving company employee ambushed a co-worker in its Estate Thomas break room and shot him dead this morning, authorities said.
Russell Moolenaar, 36, of Charlotte Amalie, was arrested by police and charged with first-degree murder, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
An employee of the Viking Corporation located behind the Schneider Regional Medical Center reported that one of his male employees was shot there about 8:27 a.m. today, according to the VIPD.
“The victim, who was identified as Bariki George age 23, sustained several gunshot wounds about his body,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said. “Emergency Medical Technicians were present on the scene and stated that Mr. George had no vital signs.”
Information given during the investigation of this incident resulted in the arrest of Moolenar, who is also an employee at the Viking Corporation on Kronprindsens Gade, police said.
Viking Corporation officials today did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Officials put nearby Lockhart Elementary School on lock down shortly after the shooting as police went on a manhunt for the suspect in the shooting.
Moolenaar was then apprehended by police at his residence in Charlotte Amalie and placed under arrest, Dratte said.
“This coward took the life of a young man that had the most positive and strongest character that I’ve come across in a long time,” Olivier Civil said on Facebook. “My heart goes out to him and his family. Rest in Power Bariki. Til Valhalla.”
Bail for Moolenaar was set at $1,000,000,00. Unable to post bond, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections Detention Center pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
The victim’s family members were notified of the incident and helped police identify the dead man Bariki George.
After at least 50 years in Contant, Viking Corporation moved to Estate Thomas in July of 2018.
There have been 10 homicides in the territory in 2019 — seven on St. Croix and three on St. Thomas.
This case is currently under active investigation by the Major Crimes Unit.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211 ext. 5569 or (340) 715-5535.
You can also contact 911, the anonymous tip line Crimestoppers USVI at 1-800-222-5477, the Chief’s Office at (340) 715-5548 or Sgt. Mario Stout at (340) 774-2211.
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