The pre-trial hearing for Shawn Chan, the Canadian man accused of stalking WWE star Liv Morgan, has been rescheduled to Monday, September 15. Chan was arrested in June after traveling from Scarborough, Ontario, to Florida, where he loitered near Morgan’s residence. He now faces charges related to interstate domestic violence and is seeking release on bond while awaiting trial.
Defense Requests Bond, Prosecutors Argue It’s Too Risky
Chan’s legal team requested his release on bond, informing the court they arranged for Chan to stay at a local Salvation Army facility. However, prosecutors strongly opposed this, emphasizing the dangers Chan poses. They argued that no conditions could guarantee both his appearance at future court hearings and the safety of Morgan or the community. In court filings, the prosecution stated,
“The Defendant, Shawn Chan, is a danger to the community, a serious risk of flight, and there are no conditions of release that will reasonably assure Chan’s appearance at further proceedings of this case. The United States requests that Chan remain detained pending trial.”
—United States Prosecutors
Further dismissing the relevance of the Salvation Army placement, prosecutors asserted,
“The newly proffered information does not have a material bearing on the issue of whether there are conditions of release that will reasonably assure Chan’s appearance at future court proceedings and the safety of other persons and the community—including [Liv Morgan].”
—United States Prosecutors
Concerns Over Chan’s Ties and Mental Health Heighten Flight Risk
Prosecutors highlighted Chan’s lack of strong connections to the United States and his Canadian citizenship as reasons he could easily flee. They also cited ongoing mental health evaluations as a significant factor increasing the risk of reoffense. The government argued,
“Given Chan’s lack of ties to the community and these serious mental health concerns, there is no condition or combination of conditions that can reasonably assure Chan’s appearance at trial.”
—United States Prosecutors
Details of the Alleged Stalking Incident and Arrest
Court documents reveal that Chan traveled to Orlando on May 26, reportedly misleading customs officials by stating he planned to stay at the WWE Performance Center. Shortly thereafter, he was observed circling Liv Morgan’s home. He allegedly entered her backyard, tried to gain access to her property, and left a handwritten note containing his full name, Canadian address, and phone number. The note stated,
“It’s me Shawn the guy you all hang out with on [gaming platform] online… I came here to pay just a friendly visit, nothing more. Yet, I’m the one who looks like a stalker thx to all of you.”
—Shawn Chan
Following a security review of Morgan’s home surveillance footage, WWE alerted the FBI, which led to Chan’s arrest on June 3. The criminal complaint formally charged him with interstate domestic violence, and he was indicted on June 25. If convicted, Chan faces up to five years in prison.
Implications of the Court’s Decision and Upcoming Proceedings
The court’s denial of bail keeps Shawn Chan in custody as his case progresses, underscoring the authorities’ concerns regarding community safety and ensuring his presence for trial. This decision reflects the seriousness of the stalking allegations against a high-profile WWE personality and highlights the challenges courts face balancing defendant rights with public protection. The upcoming hearing on September 15 will be crucial for determining the next steps in this high-profile case.
