Security Guard Hospitalized After Bar Brawl in North Carolina
In a late-night incident at the Thirsty Pallet cocktail bar in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a security guard found himself in the hospital following a heated argument that escalated into a full-blown brawl. The skirmish involved a total of 20 individuals, with the police leveling criminal charges against nine of them.
The confrontation erupted around 1:30 a.m. on September 23 when two patrons engaged in a heated argument that escalated to drink-throwing. An eyewitness captured chaotic footage of the incident, showing two men raining blows on another man’s head. At this point, a bouncer stepped in, only to have his sweatshirt pulled over his head by one man, while another man and woman unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks. Chairs and drinks were hurled about, and the bar’s female staff member could be seen in distress, trying to restore order.
A few Good Samaritan patrons and another security guard eventually managed to separate the assailants from the besieged bouncer. An employee, seemingly, used a bar stool to usher agitated customers out of the establishment. The security guard, unfortunately, sustained injuries from being struck by “several” chairs during the mayhem and was subsequently hospitalized.
The bar’s owner, Eric Zyglis, expressed gratitude that his staff was safe and recovering. He particularly commended the bouncer, known as “Big Teddy Bear,” who returned to work the day after the incident. Zyglis shared on September 25 that the bouncer’s commitment to his job, despite attempts to give him a day off, was unwavering. “We stand for something bigger, and this isn’t going to deter me from doing my job. I care too much about our staff and customers to miss a day,” the bouncer asserted.
Zyglis attributed the brawl’s inception to a patron throwing a drink at another, setting off the ensuing chaos. According to the Winston-Salem Police Public Information Officer, Annie Sims, law enforcement reviewed security footage from the bar to identify the individuals responsible for the violence. Subsequently, warrants were issued for their arrests.
As of the latest reports, two individuals, Dwight Alexander Reid and Melvin David Young, are still wanted by the police. Reid is facing misdemeanor larceny charges, while Young is charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor simple assault, and misdemeanor second-degree trespassing.
Of those detained in connection with the brawl, Kendrell Montavise Smith faces charges of assault and second-degree trespassing. Nyasia Wesley and Cynthia Tart both face charges of simple assault and second-degree trespassing, while Shakella Dobson is arrested for simple assault, second-degree trespassing, and misdemeanor communicating threats.
Miles McCollum has been arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, and second-degree trespassing, and Gerry Walters Jr. faces charges of larceny and possession of stolen goods. Details regarding what was stolen during the chaotic incident remain unclear due to an ongoing investigation.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neil refrained from commenting on the specific events of the tumultuous evening but emphasized the importance of arresting and prosecuting the remaining suspects to ensure justice is served.