Mugshot of Kamiatawene Aijoma. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — A woman accused of slashing another woman’s face during a fight at Coki Point Beach is facing felony charges after police said the victim suffered a significant upper-lip laceration that required hospital treatment and several stitches.
The incident reportedly occurred Sunday afternoon on the Coki Point boardwalk. Responding officers spoke with a woman who they said had sustained a “significant laceration to her upper lip.”
The woman told police that she was at her workplace on the boardwalk when she saw her ex-boyfriend flirting with Kamiatawene Aijoma. She admitted that an argument followed and escalated into a physical confrontation between herself and Ms. Aijoma. Police were told that the two women were separated by the ex-boyfriend and other bystanders.
After the first confrontation ended, Ms. Aijoma allegedly positioned herself deliberately in the other woman’s path, sparking a second altercation.
This time, the woman said Ms. Aijoma reached around the ex-boyfriend’s shoulder and struck her in the face. She told police that she immediately felt a slicing sensation, followed by blood pouring from her lip.
The injury was severe enough for emergency personnel to transport the woman to the hospital for treatment. Police said the wound was consistent with one caused by a sharp object or blade and required several stitches to close.
On Monday afternoon, the woman called police to the Coki Point boardwalk and pointed out Ms. Aijoma, who had returned to the area. Ms. Aijoma was arrested and transported to the Criminal Investigation Bureau for questioning.
According to police, Ms. Aijoma admitted punching the other woman in the face repeatedly but said she acted in self-defense. She claimed the other woman had attacked her with a pen and denied using a weapon.
Police, however, said they doubted that account based on the injuries to the woman’s face.
Ms. Aijoma was arrested and charged with simple assault, third-degree assault and possession of a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence. According to the arresting officer, there is some question regarding Ms. Aijoma’s official name.
During a court appearance on Tuesday, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull found probable cause to uphold the charges. Bail was set at $25,000, with the full amount required to secure Ms. Aijoma’s release from detention.
Before being released, Ms. Aijoma must provide “a valid use of her legal name to the Court,” along with an address and telephone number where she can be reached after release.
If released, Ms. Aijoma must report to the probation office in person twice a week and comply with the other standard bail conditions imposed by the court.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 26.
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