Evansville, Ind. — The Evansville Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving security staff at Chaser’s Bar & Grill that occurred over the weekend, drawing significant public attention. The incident, which has gone viral on social media, has prompted harsh criticism of the bar’s security personnel and raised questions about the initial response by law enforcement.
According to a statement released by Evansville Police Chief Philip Smith, the events began when an off-duty officer, working security at the bar, was called outside to handle an issue unrelated to the incident at hand. During this time, a confrontation unfolded between a bartender and a patron. Witnesses and surveillance footage indicate that the victim appeared to lunge at the bartender, which led the bouncers to intervene and restrain the individual, taking him to the ground.
Up to this point, Chief Smith stated, the actions of the bouncers were justified. However, he went on to describe what followed as “unreasonable, brutal, and illegal.” He emphasized that the bouncers’ subsequent actions exceeded what would be considered acceptable behavior for individuals responsible for maintaining order and safety in the establishment.
When the off-duty officer returned to the scene, he was told by the bouncers that the victim had been the aggressor. However, after reviewing the bar’s surveillance footage, the officer found no evidence supporting this claim. According to Chief Smith, the footage only depicted the victim being taken to the ground and did not show the strikes and kicks that would later be captured by a bystander’s video, which quickly spread across social media.
“I want to commend the onlooker for capturing the true events on camera,” Chief Smith said in his statement. “Once I saw the footage, my immediate reaction was that the bouncers should be arrested.”
The incident quickly gained widespread attention, sparking outrage and calls for accountability. Chief Smith, who acknowledged the initial investigation was based on incomplete information, assured the public that the department was taking the matter seriously. He has since directed detectives to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served for the victim.
“The investigation is still very active, and to ensure its integrity, I will not disclose all of the details at this time,” Chief Smith noted. “However, I want to make it clear that we are seeking justice for this victim.”
The bar’s owner has been described as cooperative with the police throughout the investigation. In his statement, Chief Smith also emphasized the importance of public safety and the role of law enforcement in holding individuals accountable when necessary.
“Justice for victims is my top priority. As long as I am Chief, I will never allow an officer who acted correctly to take the blame for something they could not have known at the time. That responsibility falls to me,” Smith asserted.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether charges will be filed against the bouncers involved. The police department has urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed without further interference, emphasizing that transparency and accountability remain at the forefront of their efforts.
