Four men assaulted outside the Y Bar
Alcohol and anger mixed with a loud, crowded space can have a disastrous result: a bar fight.
Four men were assaulted Oct. 13 outside the Y Bar in Boulder after an altercation with four other men, according to a Boulder Police Department press release.
One man was seriously injured with stab wounds and taken to Boulder Community Hospital, and another was arrested for the stabbing of that man outside the trendy bar.
Richard P. Martinez of Commerce City was arrested for first-degree assault and could face criminal charges.
The injuries to the hospitalized man are not life-threatening, hospital officials said. Police are still unsure as to why the fight started.
Bar altercations that result in stabbings or shootings are extremely rare, and Boulder PD has not had an issue like the one at the Y Bar in many years, said Boulder Police Public Information Officer Julie Brooks.
However, police sometimes respond to arguments at bars and clubs weekly, and other times go weeks without any calls, Brooks said.
In every instance, alcohol is a key instigator for these violent rages.
“Over-intoxication is absolutely the biggest problem,” said BPD Alcohol Enforcement Officer Heather Frey.
One student recounted a bar fight he was involved in and reasons for the scuffle.
“Last time I got in a bar fight was this summer in North Carolina,” said Will Slater, a junior history major. “It wasn’t malicious, I just do it for fun. I grew up with brothers and we fight all the time. It’s just sort of fun to let things go and throw down. Absolutely is alcohol the reason.”
Eliot Marshal, a bartender at The Foundry on 11th and Walnut Streets, said in his seven years as a bartender he has broken up a couple of fistfights, all involving alcohol to some degree.
“For the most part, bar fights are pushing and shoving matches,” Marshal said. “I wouldn’t say fights happen often, but I have broken up a few. Alcohol is the main reason. When people are drunk, they make bad decisions.”
Police are asking people to be responsible when drinking at public bars. Police also gave tips on what to do if you feel threatened or in danger of being in a fight.
“The first thing is to contact the bouncer or bartender and let them know you are having problems,” Frey said. “The owners are responsible to make sure their patrons are protected. Then they can contact police. If it is an emergency, call 911, but if it is just a verbal altercation we ask that people use the non-emergency line.”
Police can be reached for non-urgent issues at 303-441-3333.
