Mugshot of Malik Webster. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — A man has been charged with multiple felonies following an incident where he allegedly brandished a gun and assaulted a bartender at a popular beachside bar.
On June 1, authorities received a report from a bartender at CTC Charters/Aqua Park who described a violent altercation that occurred on April 30. The bartender claimed that Malik Webster, a patron at the bar, became disruptive and violent after being asked to join the queue.
According to court documents, Webster, reportedly intoxicated at the time, had cut in line, ignoring other waiting patrons. When the bartender asked him to queue properly, it led to what was described as a "horrible altercation." The bartender alleges that Webster began to shout and curse, eventually pulling a black handgun from his waistband and chambering a round, causing panic among the bystanders.
Following the incident, the bartender closed the booth for the day. As he was counting up the day's takings, he heard a commotion and found Webster, now wielding a sledgehammer, inside the booth. The ensuing scuffle saw the bartender being punched in the forehead by Webster before being separated by another CTC Charters staffer. The bartender was later able to identify Webster from pictures on his social media accounts.
On June 7, police obtained surveillance footage from the scene. The video confirmed the bartender's account, showing Webster skipping the line, instigating an altercation with the bartender, and reaching into his waistband. The audio captured Webster threatening to shoot the bartender before he disappeared from the frame as the security shutter was closed.
The surveillance footage later showed Webster returning with a sledgehammer. The sight of the weapon caused patrons to scatter, while Webster attacked the bartender inside the booth, according to court documents.
A witness who spoke to the police supported the bartender's account and the events captured in the surveillance footage. They mentioned Webster reaching into his waistband and later wielding the sledgehammer. The witness also stated that a female companion made several attempts to calm Webster, but to no avail.
On June 21, police issued a wanted poster for Malik Webster, who presented himself to V.I. Police Department officers a day later. He was subsequently arrested and charged with simple assault, third-degree assault, brandishing, exhibiting or using deadly weapons, and disturbance of the peace.
Webster made his initial court appearance on Friday, June 23, where a bail amount of $2500 was set. Further details about the case were unavailable at time of publication.
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