CRUZ BAY — A St. John assault suspect who pointed a BB gun at Virgin Islands police survived a single gunshot wound fired by one of the officers in Pastory on Friday morning, authorities said.
Alex Louis Camsel, 46, of Estate Pastory, is in stable condition at the St. Thomas hospital and will be charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, and damage to vehicle, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Camsel is currently in the Superior Court system for a previous assault case which had a hearing scheduled for it in February, according to court records.
The VIPD reported today that an officer involved shooting incident took place at approximately 8:44 a.m. in Estate Pastory on the island of St. John.
A female victim traveled to the Leander Jurgen Command police station in Cruz Bay to report that she was assaulted, police said.
The victim reported that she was in the Estate Pastory area, where she was threatened and assaulted by the suspect, according to police.
“The victim sustained injuries to the back of her head and hand as a result of rocks being tossed at her by the suspect,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “The victim was transported by officers to the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center for treatment of her injuries.”
While transporting the victim to the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center, officers observed the suspect, identified as Alex Louis Camsel, 46, of Estate Pastory, walking on Centerline Road with a rifle, Derima said. Additional officers responded and located Camsel with the firearm.
“Officers approached Camsel, who pointed the rifle at officers as they attempted to engage him,” the police spokesman said. “The officers took evasive action, and an officer discharged a single round, striking Camsel.”
The officers immediately applied first aid, and Camsel was transported to the Keating Smith Community Health Center, then subsequently to the Schneider Regional Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is currently listed in stable condition.
“The officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department are dedicated to protecting the people of this community,” Assistant Police Commissioner Mario Brooks said. “That protection includes the protection of themselves. Our officers have been trained to ensure that they execute their duties within the guidelines of constitutional policing. Officers will defend life and property as they go about their duties and as part of their daily duties, sworn, within the community.”
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Any persons having information regarding this incident are asked to contact police by calling 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 774-2211, extensions 5207 or 5640, or Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS.