Man arrested weeks after gun incident at Charlotte Amalie bar

A St. Thomas resident has been arrested and charged with serious offences stemming from an incident in which he brandished a loaded firearm at a party guest in downtown Charlotte Amalie.

Charlie Marte, known locally as "Yefry," was taken into custody on September 27 at the Monumento Lounge on Kronprindsens Gade. He is facing charges of first-degree assault with intent to commit murder, third-degree assault with a deadly weapon, carrying an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, reckless endangerment, and disturbance of the peace.

The incident began on the evening of August 10 and continued into the early hours of August 11. Witnesses told police that Marte and his companions had spent the afternoon at Lindbergh Bay Beach marking his birthday before moving to the Double Play Sports Bar on Kronprindsens Gade to continue celebrating. Near the DJ booth inside the bar, Marte drew a black semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and pointed the barrel at one attendee's stomach. According to the victim's account, Marte made a remark in Spanish that detectives translated as "what's going on, punk ass."

When the group fled the establishment toward parked vehicles, a struggle erupted in the alleyway behind the Windward Passage Hotel. During the fight, one member of the group managed to separate the gun's frame from Marte, though Marte retained the magazine. The confrontation ended when an off-duty Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority environmental enforcement officer heard the commotion, displayed his badge and weapon, and shouted "Police!" The combatants scattered, leaving behind a black Glock 19C 9mm pistol and a 17-round magazine on the pavement. Police records show Marte does not hold a firearms licence in the territory.

When arrested six weeks later, Marte denied ever threatening anyone with a gun. He told investigators through an interpreter that he had been attacked, beaten, and robbed of his gold chain and wallet outside the bar, but said he did not report the incident because of language difficulties.

Marte was held at the Bureau of Corrections after failing to post $50,000 bail. An Advice of Rights hearing took place on Monday before Magistrate Simone M. VanHolten-Turnbull with a Spanish-language interpreter. His formal arraignment is set for October 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM in St. Thomas Magistrate Division Courtroom MG-2.