UPDATE: Acid attack victim regrets others injured
Virgin Islands News Online was told that a masked man allegedly walked into the 'This Is It Hair Salon' and barber shop sometime around 10:30 A.M. on Saturday June 22, 2013 and sprayed a substance suspected to be hydrochloric acid in the direction of a hairdresser whose name was given as Candy Harris, a Guyanese. The highly corrosive substance allegedly came into contact with four persons; however, just three persons were treated for injuries at Peebles Hospital and discharged.
According to a close friend of Candy Harris, the victim may not return to work at the salon. The friend, who is not named at her request, declined to say where Harris is and what are her plans moving forward.
"It’s obvious that somebody out there wants to damage her really bad and they didn't succeed the way they really wanted and its more than likely she is still a target." The friend added that she is confident the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has leads in the case, which she said they should not fail to go after.
The friend further said Harris is still shaken by the ordeal and regrets that others were also hurt in the attack that was apparently intended solely for her.
The Saturday morning incident has added to the concerns of many about the changing structure of the Virgin Islands community. According to Rensford C. Callwood, a local resident, social behaviour in the society is swiftly changing for the worse and that it would take more than a government to have it addressed.
"Gun violence, robberies, thefts all sorts of things that we are not used to here are now infiltrating. We can no more sleep with our doors not bolted or our yards not fenced," said Mr Callwood.
He opined that the economy of the Virgin Islands is under “heavy stress” and with the changing trends of social behaviour, "more monies will have to be spent to expand and strengthen the police force, we'll have to get a larger prison and more resources, the effects are very far reaching," He said
Speaking of this recent suspected acid throwing incident, Callwood said that should be used as an eye opener to building owners to put security systems in place.
See previous article posted June 24, 2013
UPDATE: Victims of suspected acid attack discharged from hospital- Police
- Suspect yet to be identified; Police looking for dark male
Officers of the Criminal Investigation Department have still not identified a suspect in the assault around midday on Saturday of a beauty salon employee and two customers.
According to a press release issued by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force issued June 24, 2013, several persons were taken to Peebles Hospital for suspected injuries as a result of being dowsed with a corrosive liquid or inhaling the substance. Three required treatment and all three have since been discharged from hospital.
There were no serious injuries.
Police are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the black male suspect in this incident. Witnesses described him as masked, wearing all black and carrying a brown paper bag in his hand.
Persons who may have seen the suspect or have information about the incident can contact the Criminal Investigations Unit through the RVIPF access number 311. Persons can also give information anonymously by calling the hotline number 1-800-TIPS (8477) or give information via the police website at www.rvipolice.com under the heading “Help Us Solve a Crime”.
Meanwhile, Police continue their investigations into the matter.
See previous story posted June 22, 2013:
Three injured in suspected acid attack at salon
Hooded man allegedly targeted a salon worker
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- At least three persons are being treated at Peebles Hospital for injuries sustained in a suspected acid attack in a salon located inside the Chevelle Centre in Road Town today, June 22, 2013.
Virgin Islands News Online was told that a masked man allegedly walked into the This Is It hair salon and barber shop sometime around 10:30 A.M. and sprayed a substance suspected to be hydrochloric acid in the direction of a hairdresser whose name was given as Candy Harris, a Guyanese.
The other person believed to be seriously injured is Dorcia Peters.
The highly corrosive substance allegedly came into contact with four persons; however, just three persons are reportedly being treated for injuries. According to eyewitnesses, the salon had several persons, including a child, at the time of the attack.
One person who claimed to be an eyewitness told Virgin Islands News Online that she was at the cashier when a masked man with a "hoodie", gloves and a body-tight full outfit, walked into the salon. "I was shocked and wanted to know if he was crazy and then, after I see how he operating, I thought it was a gunman so I run behind the counter."
Another person told this news site that the man walked up to the station where Harris, another hair dresser, and a few others were, and started spraying a substance in the face of Candy Harris.
"When I realised that something was wrong was when I saw Candy screaming and smoking," said one of the persons who reportedly witnessed the attack. She added that she panicked and started screaming and found herself running out the door parallel with the attacker. He was described as a tall, slender person.
It is being said that the man apparently had a grievance with the Guyanese woman and had earlier gone to the other section of the building where the salon was previously located in search of her.
Several persons on the scene reported to have drenched the victims with water as they were screaming in pain. "Candy said that her eyes were burning and that she wasn't seeing well. After we wash her face she said that she start seeing from one eye," one person said.
One of the workers said the heavy stench of the substance has left a burning sensation in her throat and this was the case of several others. The owners of the salon declined to comment when this news site visited.
The police had cordoned off the area for approximately one hour as they conducted investigations.
Police Information Officer Diane Drayton told Virgin Islands News Online that three persons are receiving treatment at Peebles Hospital as a result of the incident and that no arrests have been made as yet.
84 Responses to “UPDATE: Acid attack victim regrets others injured”
@ keep it real, Wrong, a real man would not have done this. This is clearly the actions of a immature punk @$Z coward who cannot handle situations that he doesn't like. Just like so many others here on our islands that suffer from arrested development.
I hope RedHead deals with this man, he deserves L***!!!!!!
.he is a man who always patrol them area . fe real jah know
On another note, I'm glad to see that no one was seriously injured and I hope the culprit is caught soon.
To the ladies out there: Try to be self-supportive. Do not rely on others to foot your bills, however if you decide to take something from someone be prepared to pay for it somewhere down the line.
Only women envy other women and their looks, get jealous etc to the max. Men like to be discrete or sometimes publicly embarrass you (Think about it) The police need to find out from candy who she been doing, then find the guy's main woman/side chick... then we have a case.
The news have it that they are looking for a black male... that is sooo vague - Not going to get anywhere with that information... Do you know how many BLACK MALE are in the virgin islands?, Lol
Only God and who the woman who send him out to do this know who he is. - Have fun Hunting guys