Two men held after gun threat at Charlotte Amalie bar

Two St. Thomas men are being held in custody after one of them pulled a loaded handgun inside a downtown Charlotte Amalie bar and threatened to shoot everyone present on Friday night.

Vincent Brooks and Vernal Maynard each received $50,000 bail following their Advice of Rights hearings before Magistrate Simone M. VanHolten-Turnbull in Superior Court on Monday. Both remain in the Bureau of Corrections pending arraignment on a range of felony weapons, assault, and narcotics charges.

The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. on November 6 at Keila's Rum & Rhythm Bar on Wimmelskafts Gade. Police responded after receiving an emergency report of an armed gunman inside the establishment.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Police Officer Travis Richardson, a fight had started inside the bar involving Maynard. After staff ejected him, Maynard went outside, obtained a handgun from Brooks, and returned through the entrance. He then waved the weapon at customers while shouting, "I going shoot everybody inside here". Patrons took cover under tables and on the floor. Juan Jaquez, brother of bar owner Pamela Estrella, physically forced Maynard back out of the bar, preventing escalation.

When Officers Mikhail Woodley and Richardson arrived, Estrella identified both men standing nearby. Officers detained Maynard immediately. Brooks, observing police movement, fled westward toward Market Square, running through downtown alleys before officers tackled him.

A search of Brooks uncovered a silver and black Smith & Wesson SD9VE 9mm semiautomatic pistol with a round in the chamber and a fully loaded 15-round magazine. Two additional loaded 15-round magazines were found in his rear pockets, totalling 45 rounds. Brooks stated he has no firearms license in the territory. A black satchel he was carrying held individual bags of marijuana and a digital gram scale, resulting in distribution charges.

Maynard faces charges of aiding and abetting third-degree assault, constructive possession of an unlicensed firearm during a crime of violence, brandishing a deadly weapon, and disturbance of the peace.

Brooks is charged with multiple counts of third-degree assault, unlicensed firearm possession, possession of ammunition, reckless endangerment, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interfering with an officer.