Out of Control STX Man Assaults Police Officer

A.J. Pike

St. Croix - While on Patrol in Christiansted Town, on Saturday, January, 17, 2026, the Special Operations Bureau were notified of a male cursing profanity and causing a disturbance in the Pan Am Pavilion business area. An eyewitness claims he was screaming about someone chasing him.

An Officer arrived on the scene and observed the male, later identified as 28-year old, Lafayette Artis, Jr., who then quickly exited the Pan Am Pavilion and eventually made his way on to Queen Cross Street. He stood in the middle of the roadway, still screaming, obstructing the normal flow of vehicle traffic and refused to move out of the roadway when ordered to do so by the Officer. 

As the Officer attempted to move him out of the roadway, he began to fight the officer and held onto the officer’s bullet-proof vest. Mr. Artis Jr. was ordered to release the Officer’s vest, however, he did not comply with the Officer’s command. 

Mr. Artis Jr. was subsequently tased to subdue his outlandish behavior. He was immediately handcuffed and placed under arrest without any further delay. He was charged with Aggravated Assault & Battery and Interfering with an Officer While Discharging his Duties.

Bail was set at $1,000.00.