In D.C. Protest, Federal Agents Demand Freedom For ATF Agent Charged with Murder
Leader Asks for Boycott of U.S. Virgin Islands, Calls Will Clark Hero
Rep. Lee Introduces Resolution Supporting Clark
Rep. Chris Lee, R.-New York, introduced a resolution in Congress this summer in support of Clark. Rep. Lee told ABC News that he heard about the case through constituents in May, has had a chance to meet with Clark, and has become an avid supporter.
Rep. Lee said he is concerned, however, that local island politics is interfering with justice. "The scary part is you're dealing with a man's life," said Rep. Lee. "He was cleared and my fear is this has become more political."
Lee said he understands the ATF's decision to pull its agents out of the islands. "I don't think any of our federal law enforcement officials should go back into the US Virgin Islands until this is resolved," said Rep. Lee, "because how do you tell a law enforcement official that this couldn't happen to them?"
Other federal agents remain in the islands, where law enforcement is grappling with a spike in gun violence.
A spokeswoman for the Virgin Islands police confirmed that in 2009, the murder rate in the Virgin Islands was 51 per 100,000 population – a figure eight times the U.S. average. The violence was concentrated on St. Thomas, the center of population and the tourist industry. St. Croix and St. John, the other two major islands in the group, had far less criminal activity. So far in 2010, 56 people have been killed, slightly ahead of last year's rate, while crime on the mainland continues to fall.
Clark, who is from Rochester, N.Y., has been living in upstate New York and continuing to serve as an ATF agent while free pending trial.
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