Mugshot of 18-Year-Old Caleave Nigel Mascall, who was unable to post the $25,000 bail and was subsequently remanded to the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility. Photo: VIPD

The attack occurred on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at approximately 2:47 PM while the bus was dropping students off in the Strawberry Hill area, according to the VIPD. Two minors were also arrested in connection with the assault. As part of its own investigation, the VI Department of Education identified four students as being involved in the brutal assault.

The police report revealed that Mascall and the two minors assaulted the bus driver while he was performing his duties. The bus driver sustained visible injuries, and damages to the school bus were reported. The minors involved were turned over to the Juvenile Investigation Bureau, where they were booked and released to their parents pending juvenile court proceedings.

Mascall, an adult in the eyes of the law, was unable to post the $25,000 bail and was subsequently remanded to the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility. He awaits his Advice of Rights hearing scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Superior Court.

Chief Sean Santos Urges Parents to Pay Attention

St. Croix Police Chief Sean Santos addressed the situation, expressing both disappointment and a call to action. "First and foremost, I want to thank the members of the juvenile unit and our school security bureau for their investigative work and the swift arrest of these students who assaulted the bus driver. These actions are not tolerated within our community," said Chief Santos.

He lamented the need to take legal action against young members of the community but emphasized that the violent attack could not go unaddressed. "It is sad that we have to go down this road in arresting our young men in our community. But I think the horrific actions that were displayed on that video said it all as to why we had to do what we had to do," Santos stated.

Chief Santos also called on parents across the Virgin Islands to remain vigilant and involved in their children's lives. "I plead to the parents of the Virgin Islands community to pay attention to your young ones, our children, to ensure that these situations do not occur anymore, including violent acts against their peers within the schools," he urged.

He further stressed the importance of respect for public transportation, noting that it exists for the safety of students and the community. "The public transportation system is there for their safety and ensuring that the students get to and from school. We have been a community who always respected our elders, and we need to bring that back," Santos said, hoping that the students involved in the incident will learn from their actions and that proper support will be provided to help them moving forward.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of school bus transportation and the conduct of students while using these services. The V.I. Department of Education has also voiced its condemnation of the attack and is expected to take disciplinary action against the students involved, with expulsion likely.