FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix man who was charged with murder after allegedly gunning down a man at Ruby M. Rouss Apartments more than two years ago apparently was free to shoot another man at Ruby M. Rouss Apartments in June, authorities said.
Manuel “Matatan” Davis, 23 of Williams Delight was arrested at 12:23 a.m. Saturday and charged with attempted murder, third-degree assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm, discharging or aiming a firearm, and first-degree reckless endangerment, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Davis was wanted in connection to the night shooting of a male victim near the Ruby M. Rouss Apartments on June 29, according to the VIPD.
On Saturday morning, just past midnight, alert VIPD officers spotted Davis driving a white Jeep Cherokee in the Watergut area, near the Seaplane Terminal.
Police found the vehicle a short time later near Sharkey’s Bait Stand in Estate Welcome and attempted a traffic stop, but “Matatan” refused to stop and was able to briefly elude the officers.
“After a brief pursuit, officers apprehended Davis in Sion Hill and found him in possession of a loaded firearm magazine,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “A subsequent search of the surrounding area where he was apprehended revealed a loaded firearm.”
His bail for those charges was set at $500,000, no 10 percent provision. He was also arrested and charged separately with unauthorized Possession of a firearm, Derima said. His bail for that charge was set at $50,000, no 10 percent provision. Unable to post bail, Davis was remanded to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections (BOC) pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
St. Croix District Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe thanked the community for the information that led to Davis’ ultimate capture, and commended the officers who captured Davis.
“Fighting crime is a partnership between the community and the VIPD..” Chief Elskoe said. “If you see or know something about a crime, do the right thing and say something to us.”