CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man has been charged with assault after a shooting outside a Market Square-area bar late Monday afternoon, authorities said.
Michael D. Rhymer, 65, of Estate Tutu was arrested at 5:45 p.m. Monday and charged with third-degree assault, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Police detectives were dispatched to the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital in reference to a gunshot victim, according to the VIPD.
“The victim stated that he was at the BreakTime Bar in the area of Market Square when he heard a verbal altercation outside the bar,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “The victim then stated that after a brief conversation with Rhymer about what happened outside, Rhymer shot the victim.”
The injured man was transported via ambulance to the Schneider Regional Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. He remains in stable condition at the hospital, according to police.
Rhymer, a retired Bureau of Corrections (BOC) officer, allegedly admitted to shooting the unidentified man and surrendered his licensed firearm to police.
He was placed in official custody and is awaiting an advice-of-rights hearing at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.
This case is presently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Anyone with any information about this crime is urged to contact 911, Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211 ext. 5579 or the paying anonymous tip line Crime Stoppers USVI at 1(800) 222-8477.