April 6, 2009 — Bail has been set at $75,000 for Kareem "Squeezie" George, 32, arrested and charged this weekend in the non-fatal shooting of another man near the basketball court in Hospital Ground.
The victim of the incident — a 21-year-old man whose name has not yet been released — gave a statement to police Det. Margaret Price after arriving at the hospital Saturday. The victim said he and a friend were sitting outside a house near the basketball court when George, who was nearby, approached, took out his gun and fired several shots, hitting the victim several times, Price said during George's advice-of-rights hearing in Superior Court.
The victim described what George was wearing at the time of the shooting and the type of car he drives. The information was broadcast over the police central dispatch system, Price said.
George is related to a police officer in the Special Operations Bureau, she said.
"The officer made contact with George, who then came to the police station, where I met him," Price testified. George was wearing the same clothing — red shirt and blue jeans — described by the victim, she said.
Police have not yet interviewed the victim's friend, who was also at the scene.
"The investigation is ongoing," Price said to defense attorney Ariel Smith, who protested the $75,000 bail.
But V.I. Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Hollar found probable cause to uphold first-degree assault and weapons charges against George, who will also have to wear an electronic monitor and surrender his passport and other travel documents if he posts bail.
George's arraignment hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. April 16.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
