June 19, 2007 -- A 21-year-old man died on St. John early Tuesday morning after suffering multiple stab wounds, according to Police.
The victim, identified as James P. Cockayne, was found with multiple stab wounds to his body in the vicinity of Fashion Palace in Enighed. Cockayne died after being transported to the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center.
Police responded to the stabbing at 12:28 a.m., according to a news release issued by Police spokeswoman Shawna Richards. Emergency medical personnel on the scene detected faint signs of life in the victim and took action to try to save him. Cockayne was transported by ambulance to the Smith Community Health Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m.
Police indicated that Cockayne was from Philadelphia but had moved to St. John recently. Family members have since told the Source he was most recently from New Hope, Pa., not Philadelphia. He had come to St. John prepared to take a job on a boat with his newly obtained captain's license. He was scheduled to start working next week, according to family members. They did not know the name of the boat or company.
St. John Administrator Leona Smith said she had been in contact with Police officials, who told her of the homicide. Discussions are ongoing to place additional security cameras on the outskirts of Cruz Bay, she said.
"Residents need to be aware of their behavior," Smith said, adding that security cameras can be a deterrent to criminal acts. "(The cameras) have to be monitored 24 hours a day."
The cost of the security equipment could be covered by appealing to the private sector or checking the availability of federal funds through Homeland Security to finance additional cameras, Smith said.
This is the second homicide on St. John in 2007 and the 18th for the year in the territory.
The VIPD reminds residents that community involvement remains a critical component of the police-investigation process, the news release said. Anyone with information of this crime or any other incident is urged to contact the confidential Major Crime Unit hotline at (340) 715-5544 or call 911.
Editor's correction: Police said shortly after the incident that James "Jamie" Cockayne was from Philadelphia. Family members have since told the Source he grew up in Basking Ridge, N.J. and then finished high school in New Hope, Pa.
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