Security guard injured in bar fight in downtown Winston-Salem
Winston Salem NC September 26, 2023 The owners of a downtown bar where some 20 people got into a fight that injured a security officer early Saturday morning are saying they will help police and other bar owners make sure that those responsible are dealt with by the law and allowed no further entry into many other downtown bars.
Winston-Salem police said they responded at 1:30 a.m. Saturday to a large fight at the Thirsty Pallet, 249 W. Fourth St., but found that the suspects had left before police arrived.
The fight followed a verbal dispute between two people, police said. During the fight, security guard David Raue was punched, kicked, and hit with multiple chairs, police said. Raue was treated for his injuries.
The bar operators posted on Facebook that at one point, “someone came behind the bar and was throwing objects at customers.”
The operators went on to say that the bar has video of the people involved, and that “they will be dealt with accordingly in a court of law.”
The Thirsty Pallet followed that up with a post showing the notice that members of the Winston-Salem Bar Owners Council provides to members, stating that people breaking the rules will not be allowed in any of the bars.
The prohibited activities are fighting, drug use, vandalism, illegal activity, disorderly conduct, possession of a weapon and harassment.
“Our downtown community has zero tolerance for this behavior,” The Thirsty Pallet operators said. “We are all working closely to make sure anyone who is involved in the actions … will not be allowed entry into our establishments.”
Police said that they are investigating to identify the people involved in the fight and encourage anyone involved to come forward.
Anyone with information about the fight is asked to call the police at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.
