Iggies benefit helps wounded employees
Published: July 9, 2012
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Daily News Photo by THOMAS LAYER The Barefoot Davis Band entertains the crowd during a benefit concert at Iggies.
ST. THOMAS - Dozens of residents gathered Saturday night at Iggies Beach Bar and Grill to help raise money for two bar employees who were shot during an apparent robbery attempt last month.
Musician Barefoot Davis, who helped organize the event, said one of the men injured in the shooting hired his band to start playing at Iggies, which is part of the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, years ago.
"The people who run Bolongo Bay have been very, very generous," Davis said. "It's unfortunate what happened."
According to previous statements by resort general manager Paul Doumeng, the manager of Iggies and two security guards were driving from the bar to the main office about 12:15 a.m. June 15 to deliver the evening's paperwork. The men were not transporting any money, Doumeng said.
As the men drove away from Iggies, an armed man came out of the bush and confronted the men. After an exchange of words, the men continued to drive away and the would-be robber fired a single shotgun blast that wounded two of the employees, ages 54 and 38, in their arms and stomach.
V.I. Police Department spokeswoman Melody Rames said Sunday that no arrests have been made and that the case still is under investigation.
The music and dancing Saturday night was accompanied by a number of silent auctions for prizes such as food and sailing trips, as well as a 50/50 raffle that netted $150 for the injured employees.
The resort also is covering the medical and other expenses of the two employees, according to Doumeng.
"We just wanted to get everybody together to show the community's support for the working folk, you know?" Davis said.
Musician Becca Darling, who played with the Barefoot Davis Band, said Iggies has always supported musicians, and the fundraiser was their way of giving back.
"It's a bunch of friends getting together to play some music to help out other friends," Darling said.
Former St. Thomas resident Natalie Fairchild, who was visiting from New York, manned the merchandise table and oversaw the auctions.
"It seemed like a nice thing to do while I'm on vacation," she said.
Anyone with information about the June 15 shooting can call V.I. Police detectives at 714-9834 or 715-5522 or call the Crime Stoppers USVI anonymous tip line at 1-800-222-8477.
- Contact reporter Lou Mattei at 714-9178 or email lmattei@dailynews.vi.
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