PUDDLE RAGE: Uniformed Security Guard Arrested After Drawing Glock on Commuters Over Splashed Water
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A licensed security guard who allegedly stood on a major St. Thomas highway in full uniform, cursing and brandishing a handgun at passing vehicles, was arrested Thursday after video footage connected him to the bizarre act of road rage.
The suspect, identified as Shayne Morgan, an employee of Ranger American security, faces felony charges including third-degree assault and brandishing a deadly weapon.
The incident, which took place on the morning of May 19, 2026, on the Judy Gomez Highway near Gottlieb’s Gas Station, has also exposed a jarring response lag within the territory’s emergency response apparatus.
A Wild Morning on the Highway
According to a probable cause fact sheet filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, a commuter driving to work at approximately 8:00 A.M. witnessed a male dressed in a security uniform aggressively waving a black Glock handgun at oncoming traffic near Estate Contant.
Terrified for public safety, the citizen immediately dialed 911 to report the active threat. The driver’s vehicle, which was equipped with a dash camera system, recorded the entire interaction.
The filing police detective, Yordona LoBlack, noted that the citizen later provided a video clip showing the armed individual standing near Napa Auto Parts holding a paper bag in his left hand and pointing a firearm with his right.
A Multi-Hour 911 Response Lag
Court documents reveal that despite the gravity of an armed man targeting passing cars on a heavily trafficked highway, local law enforcement response was drastically delayed.
The reporting witness stated he called 911 right away but never received any follow-up from police. Detective LoBlack personally contacted 911 dispatch hours later at 10:30 A.M. to check on the status of the emergency call. Dispatchers reportedly acknowledged a significant delay before sending Officer J. Turnbull to investigate. By the time the officer arrived, the gunman had vanished.
Caught on Camera
The investigation cracked wide open on May 27, when detectives recovered surveillance footage from inside Gottlieb’s Quickway Service Center. The video clearly captured Morgan’s face as he purchased food inside the establishment.
The footage showed that immediately upon walking outside to the sidewalk, Morgan pulled his firearm "in an aggressive manner" and began waving it at a passing dark-colored SUV, continuing to flash the weapon as other local commuters drove by.
VIPD Firearms Bureau clerk Ms. Heyliger positively identified Morgan from the security footage, noting he was a frequent visitor to the bureau to conduct licensing business. A subsequent internal database check confirmed Morgan held a valid driver's license and firearm card.
"I Don't Remember"—Until the Video Plays
On May 28, detectives tracked Morgan down to his current security posting at "The Depot" inside the Banco Popular branch. He was immediately disarmed of his duty weapon and transported to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).
During his initial interrogation, Morgan claimed he had absolutely no memory of the May 19 incident or drawing his weapon. However, his story shifted dramatically once detectives played the dashcam and gas station surveillance footage directly in front of him.
Faced with the undeniable video evidence, Morgan identified himself on screen and made a spontaneous admission. He told detectives that he drew his duty weapon because a passing Toyota RAV4 had splashed dirty roadway water onto him, and he believed the driver was laughing at him as they drove away.
Morgan was arrested on the spot and booked into custody. Court records indicate he possesses a prior criminal record on file. Assistant Attorney General Brenda Scales signed off on the formal charges on Thursday evening.
