Confrontation at Legislature Building Leads to Discovery of Unlicensed Gun

ST. CROIX — A man who police say approached an officer brandishing a machete outside the V.I. Legislature building on St. Croix is now facing felony charges for an empty gun reportedly found on his person.

On Friday night, an officer was outside the Legislature building when he and a security officer were approached by a man who began using profanity towards them and the government in general.

When the man entered the parking lot, the officer recognized him as Delvon Mathurin and asked him to leave the property, as unauthorized entry onto the Legislature property is prohibited. The man refused, reached towards the right side of his waist for what the police officer believed was a machete. He continued walking towards the officer, now brandishing a black-handled machete, but complied with the officer’s demands that he put the weapon away.

Mathurin, as he got closer, reportedly recognized the officer as a former schoolmate and extended his hand in a friendly gesture. The officer declined, saying he did not feel safe, and Mathurin began walking away. Upon being informed that he was headed in the wrong direction, Mathurin reportedly reversed course and walked back towards the officer, again extending his hand in the hopes of his gesture being reciprocated.