Mugshot of Shaquani Milliner. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — Shaquani Milliner has been charged with third-degree assault after police said a dispute between co-workers during a lunch break at a Bovoni workplace ended with one man being stabbed and undergoing emergency surgery.
Milliner appeared Thursday before Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull, who found probable cause to uphold charges of third-degree assault, simple assault and disturbance of the peace.
Bail was set at $25,000, with $1,000 payable in cash and the remaining amount posted as an unsecured bond.
Police were summoned to the workplace last Wednesday afternoon following reports of a stabbing involving two employees. Responding officers spoke with a manager who said a physical altercation had occurred inside the employee breakroom.
According to police, Milliner had been insulting a co-worker by making derogatory remarks about the man’s father being confined to a wheelchair. Other employees attempted to de-escalate the situation but were unsuccessful.
A witness told police that the man being insulted walked over to Milliner, who was seated, and raised his hand toward Milliner’s face. The man’s hand was knocked away, prompting a brief physical fight.
Once the altercation ended, those present noticed that one of the men was bleeding. Witnesses told police they saw Milliner holding a box cutter or a similar object.
Milliner reportedly left the workplace and fled in his vehicle. The injured employee was transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
Officers later interviewed the man after he underwent emergency surgery. He identified Milliner as the person who stabbed him and said Milliner had frequently harassed him and made threatening remarks.
According to the injured man, the immediate dispute began when Milliner threatened to kick his father out of his wheelchair.
He told investigators that Milliner intentionally slashed him during the fight with a bladed weapon that may have been a folding knife.
The man said it was his first physical altercation with Milliner, but told police that he and other employees had repeatedly complained about Milliner’s conduct in the workplace.
After leaving the scene, Milliner presented himself at the Criminal Investigation Bureau. He was subsequently arrested and charged.
If released from detention, Milliner must report to the probation office in person twice each week.
Should he be terminated from his job, he will be barred from the workplace. He will be permitted one opportunity to retrieve his belongings under the supervision of a court marshal or police officer.
Milliner is scheduled to return to court on July 24.
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