Five minors were arrested this week and charged with attempted murder in relation to a Nov. 23 assault at Magens Bay, the V.I. Police Department announced.
The assault victim, 65-year-old William Hyde, was hospitalized on St. Thomas and later transferred to a stateside medical facility by his family, police said.
According to an unconfirmed report from a person familiar with the case, Hyde has been taken off of life support and is not expected to survive.
Meanwhile the five suspects have already been released from police custody and on Wednesday were back at high school on St. Thomas.
According to the police report, one of the minors knew Hyde and called him for a ride. When Hyde arrived in Estate Anna’s Retreat, four other minors allegedly came out of hiding in the bushes and got into the truck along with the first, who had made the call.
Police said the minors threatened Hyde with a BB gun, forced him in the back cab of the truck and took him to the beach, where they assaulted him.
Following an intensive investigation, police arrested four male teens Monday, and the fifth on Wednesday. All five suspects are either 16 or 17 years old.
The five teens have been charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, kidnapping, grand larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts each of using a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence.
The suspects were taken to Juvenile Court and advised of their rights. They were then released by the court to the custody of their parents or guardians pending further court action.
