Two participants at a Drag Bingo night at Engel’s Pub July 11 are facing misdemeanor assault charges after they got into a fight with a male patron at the downtown Edmonds bar.
According to Edmonds Police spokesperson Commander Shane Hawley, police responding to the incident determined that a verbal altercation and a heated argument led the two participants to physically assault the man.
The patron was evaluated by medics at the scene but wasn’t hospitalized.
Police referred misdemeanor assault charges to the Snohomish County Prosecutors Office, which will determine whether to charge the suspects, Hawley said.
Dawn Vinberg, Engel’s Pub owner, posted a statement on Instagram regarding the incident, stating that “the Pub wishes to extend our sorrow that this happened.
“That late night, a patron made a discriminatory comment to one of our performers after the belowed and very popular Drag Bingo Night,” Vinberg continued. “Engel’s is a community bar with varied entertainment options and we support and value all our performers. The staff, observing patrons and police handled this situation swiftly and with consummate professionalism.”
Vinson further stressed that it is Engel’s “priority and mission to provide a safe space for everyone over the age of 21,” adding that “any type of discrimination will not be tolerated within the Pub.”
So you can beat the crap out of somebody and not be arrested? I just want clarification so the next time some jerk needs to be punched in the face I don’t have to worry about going to jail for it. Maybe someone could ask our police department for clarity on this issue.
Police arrest and “refer” charges, but prosecutors make the decision whether to charge.
Yes thank you maybe I read it wrong but it didn’t sound like any arrest was made only referral which may or may not result in prosecution. I can remember not so long ago anyone who committed physical assault was automatically arrested and went before a judge to determine next steps.
If someone says something that you don’t like, you can simply walk away. Old Nursery rhyme stick and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me. I personally pass on Engels.
“The patron was evaluated by medics at the scene but wasn’t hospitalized,” kinda doesn’t sound like “beat the crap out of someone.”
But it does sound like some homophobia hit Edmonds. Engel’s expressed their view wonderfully. Haters, keep your hate at home! Especially when you’re drinking.
Nathaniel what is the definition of having the crap beat out of you? I am not defending the jerk I am just asking for clarity of when it is ok to assault someone. Do you think there are times when assaulting someone for being a jerk is justified? Please explain.
I once wrote Supreme Court Justice Scalia a letter referring to his minority opinion where he invoked the term; “Culture War”, to ask what is considered justifiable homicide when we are in a “Culture War.” He never replied! War is when it is legal to kill humans. And remember; Scalia is famous for spouting that, “Words have consequences”.
No, I don’t – but I expect you knew that. My objection is the assumption that “the crap” was beaten out of someone, which most would probably take as meaning some pretty serious damage was inflicted. It’s also disappointing that apparently homophobic remarks were made at a planned and advertised drag event, which might imply that the person in question went there planning to cause trouble.
Both sides bear responsibility, and the bar’s response was excellent.
Nathaniel there are many times people are hurt but don’t go to the hospital and sometimes they go when they really aren’t hurt at all so just because he didn’t go doesn’t really mean much. I agree that there is blame on both sides maybe all of them needed to go to jail. I am just trying to figure out what the law is or how it is being enforced in this era of criminal justice reform. Sounds like you can assault somebody that is being a jerk and not be arrested and likely face no charges for doing so. That is why I asked the city to chime in as to just what are the boundaries in this new age of criminal justice reform are.
I was thinking the same thing.
Precisely!!
It’s official.. downtown Edmonds has now “jump the shark”.. a drag queen bar fight? In a joint like Engel s??
I don’t understand your comment Mark.
Mike & Jim,
I wasn’t there, that said, assault could technically be anything slapping someone across the face to stabbing them. Should you be arrested for slapping someone across the face? IMHO probably not. Should you be arrested for stabbing someone? Absolutely. The article doesn’t say “crap beat out of” so it is impossible without the police report and medical records to know whether an arrest was appropriate.
Wow, in your opinion slapping someone across the face warrants no criminal action? Unbelievable. Slapping someone across the face is assault.
What a sad situation all the way around.
This story reassures me that Edmonds Police know how to diffuse, interview and handle situations professionally.
“The idiom “jumping the shark” or “jump the shark” is a pejorative that is used to argue that a creative work or entity has reached a point in which it has exhausted its core intent and is introducing new ideas that are discordant with, or an over-exaggeration of, its original purpose. ” (Wikipedia)
I still don’t understand Mr. Thomas’ comment. Unless it means there’s no room in Edmonds for a drag show, as there was hardly a “drag queen bar fight,” according to the article, but rather an over-reaction to homophobic remarks; and I’d say that homophobia of any sort has no place in Edmonds.
If that’s not what Mr Thomas meant, I retract everything down to “as there was… ”
The bar and the police handled the situation wonderfully, and the bar’s posted remarks were appreciated and spot-on.
Thank you Nathaniel – I know what the idiom means, but like you, I don’t get the context in which Mr. Thomas’ is using it or what he meant by his choice of sentence structure.