Ira A. Mercer, a 28-year-old St. Thomas man, was arrested at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and charged with first- and third-degree assault, reckless endangerment and child abuse, in a case in which a woman and her 2-year-old son were injured.
The V.I. Police Department reported Thursday that Mercer was charged in connection with an incident that occurred Sunday near the Oswald Harris Court housing community. During that altercation a female was grazed on her chin by a bullet.
Mercer was identified as the person who argued with and pointed a gun at another man, who was also holding his 2-year-old son. The mother of the 2-year-old intervened and was shot when the gun discharged. The bullet grazed her chin and struck her shoulder.
The 2-year-old was bruised on his head when he was dropped during the altercation. The mother and son were treated at Schneider Regional Medical Center and released.
Bail for Mercer was set at $150,000, and he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
