March 16, 2007 — A 51-year-old man was killed Friday morning after what police said was an altercation with a male relative. Police spokeswoman Shawna Richards identified the victim as Eric Golden of Bonne Esperance.
"Mr. Golden expired today of injuries received in a physical altercation with a male relative," Richards said in a released statement late Friday.
She could not be reached later on the specific injuries that led to Golden's death but said that police are looking into the circumstances leading to the incident.
The male relative was not identified in the statement, but Richards said that he had to be treated for injuries sustained in the fight.
Police were dispatched to a Bonne Esperance home at 3:55 a.m. Friday after receiving reports of a disturbance.
"They entered the home to find both the victim and the suspect covered with blood. The victim appeared to have no vital signs," Richards said. "According to preliminary police reports, the suspect told emergency personnel at the scene that the physical altercation ensued after the victim hit him with a stick. The suspect sustained a laceration to his head."
The suspect, who also resides in the Bonne Esperance home, was taken to Schneider Regional Medical Center for treatment of his wounds.
"Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident," Richards said.
Golden's death is the fourth killing on St. Thomas in three weeks and the eighth territorywide. The last killing occurred Feb. 25 on that island after 34-year-old Joseph Van Holten was beaten to death. Police found his body covered with a sheet in the parking lot of the Lima Laundromat. No arrests have been made in that killing.
Police continue to ask witnesses with information in any unsolved killings to contact investigators at 911 or 774-221.