A security guard in Texas quit his job on live TV after his boss blamed him for getting assaulted following attempts to stop two suspected carjackers.
Percy Payne, an employee of Priebe Security stationed at a private underground garage in East Austin, was attacked on June 24 when he encountered two “young Hispanic males on two electric scooters” trying to break into his car, according to Fox 7 Austin.
While recalling the assault during an interview with the outlet, Payne’s manager interrupted and informed him that he was not allowed to speak on camera while in uniform.
“We are very sorry for what happened to you,” the supervisor began before criticizing Payne.
“We have a policy that you’re not supposed to do any interviews in your uniform. If you want to do this as a private citizen, you can,” she added.
The confrontation escalated as the cameras continued rolling, with the supervisor demanding Payne remove his uniform.
Payne tried to explain that the interview was crucial for sharing his story, but the supervisor became increasingly frustrated and blamed him for the assault.
In the heated exchange, the supervisor insisted that Payne take off his uniform, and he complied, revealing a Cleveland Browns shirt underneath.
“Is it my fault?” a frustrated Payne asked after being told he was responsible for the incident. “Yes, every bit of it,” his superior responded.
Surveillance footage obtained by Fox 7 Austin showed Payne’s encounter with the suspects, who allegedly gained access to the garage through a malfunctioning door around 9:30PM Payne followed the two males downstairs and found them near his vehicle.
“One individual was at my driver’s door with his back to me, looking back. The other individual was at my passenger door facing me, being a lookout,” Payne described. The two suspects fled toward a security gate and a brawl ensued.
“A young individual tried to run me over with his scooter multiple times. And then that’s when they started to assault,” Payne recounted.
During the attack, one suspect allegedly yelled: “Hold him,” grabbed a screwdriver, and attempted to stab Payne. Payne managed to break free and called 911.
Despite informing the dispatcher of the assault, Payne was told: “We will not be sending police officers out there because they did not steal your car.”
Payne hung up and called 911 again, receiving an apology and a prompt response from another dispatcher. An officer arrived an hour later and confirmed that the case was being treated as an aggravated assault.
“I don’t think that it was taken as seriously as it should’ve been,” Payne remarked.
Payne has since secured a new position with a different security firm.
“I woke up the next morning, was about to really get on Indeed and just start scrolling, because I know I’ve been looking in the medical field and a lot of stuff, but something keeps drawing me back to security,” he said.
Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works, was moved by Payne’s story and offered him a job. “He deserved better,” Cargill said, per the New York Post.
“That was just insane. The fact that he was in that predicament in the first place, and the fact that his supervisor was blaming him, his company was blaming him as the person that was in the wrong.”
Payne expressed gratitude for the new opportunity.
“Bless him, this is a blessing, so I’m going to take this. This is an opportunity, it’s a doorway, I’m going to take it, it can lead anywhere,” he concluded.
Priebe Security said: "We’re in the process of gathering details. We have been made aware of it and are looking into the situation."
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