Landlord Arrested After Shooting During Verbal Altercation Over Eviction

ST. THOMAS — A property owner has been arrested after shooting a man during a tenancy dispute.

According to court documents, last Friday evening, police responded to a reported shooting in Altona. Responding officers spoke to property owner Keith Marsham, who said that he had been having an ongoing dispute with someone who lived on the property, and owed five months’ rent.‌

The man was not an official tenant, but reportedly occupied the premises after his father, the original lease holder, left the island. The father had reportedly asked that his son be allowed to stay in the home until August 19, a request to which Mr. Marsham had agreed.

That day came and went, Mr. Marsham said. After several attempts to contact his now-overseas tenant, he decided on August 23 to change the locks of the residence. That evening, the son got into contact. They agreed to meet, and Mr. Marsham communicated his expectation that the man clean the premises and remove any trash before vacating the property. The son of his tenant reportedly took umbrage to that directive, and a verbal confrontation ensued.