Man Convicted of Killing Carnival Cruise Ship Passenger

Published Apr 20, 2011 1:16 PM by The Maritime Executive

A 22-year-old St. Thomas man has been convicted of murdering a Carnival cruise ship passenger. Steve Tyson was found guilty on two counts of murder after killing a 14-year old girl and an 18-yar old man in St. Thomas last summer.

The young girl was Liz Marie Perez Chaparro of Puerto Rico. A bullet struck her as she and her family were leaving Coki Point beach in an open-air taxi. Local news reported she was the innocent victim of a gang related shooting.

The other victim, Shaheel Joseph, died in the street after a bullet struck him in the back of the head.

Tyson was also convicted of felony murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm.