Suncoast man Charged with Hate Crime After Pointing Gun at Workers, Making Racist Comments and Threats

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

CCSO

A Punta Gorda man was arrested after he pointed a gun at workers, threatened to kill them, and called them derogatory, racist names.

Just after 2:30pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2026, Charlotte County deputies responded to Sabalwood Drive in Punta Gorda, Florida in reference to multiple 911 calls reporting two men with firearms pointed at each other. According to witness statements, one of the men retreated back to his property upon hearing the approaching sirens and hid the firearm prior to the deputies arriving. That man was identified as Shelton H. Roy, Jr. (10/30/1957).

As deputies approached, they observed Roy attempting to leave the area. Roy ignored lawful commands to stop as deputies were securing the scene. For the safety and security of everyone involved, Roy was then taken to the ground and handcuffed for the duration of the investigation.

The investigation revealed that two men were on the adjoining property to Roy’s residence and were contracted to install a fence. While unloading materials, Roy approached and began calling them racist names and threatening to kill them if they continued trying to install the fence. He sat on the tailgate of an abandoned truck on his property, approximately 10 feet from where the work was to be done, continuing his verbal assault and threats. After this verbal confrontation went on for some time, Roy then produced a silver revolver, pointing the weapon at the men. The victims took cover behind their truck, with one of them calling 911 and the other retrieving his own firearm from the vehicle in self-defense. Deputies arrived soon after.

Witness statements from individuals not involved with the incident supported the claims of the victims. Additionally, one of the witnesses took a photograph showing Roy holding the firearm, which they provided to the detectives on scene. A search warrant was obtained for the property, and the loaded silver revolver was located on the backseat of a vehicle in the front yard of Roy’s property.