Kung Fu Controversy
Another Kung Fu Saloon controversy: Employee charged with brutal attack on patron
Kung Fu Saloon, the downtown bar famous for its arcade games — oh, and enforcing dress code policies that patrons in Austin and Dallas have criticized as racist — is under fire once again.
The Austin Police Department launched an investigation following a November 16 attack on Joey O'Hare, a 23-year-old man from San Antonio, which left him unconscious and lying in a pool of blood on the Kung Fu patio.
On November 25, APD issued an arrest warrant for Robert Camillone, 24, an employee of Kung Fu. According to the affidavit, security footage shows Camillone wrapping his arms around the victim's neck rendering him unconscious. At that point, Camillone drops O'Hare on his face.
According to KVUE, O'Hare was in Austin to spend time with childhood friends. The group went to dinner and then migrated over to Kung Fu. In an interview with KVUE, O'Hare's friend Adriana Chavez said she didn't witness the attack, but walked outside immediately after and found O'Hare unconscious.
O'Hare, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at University Medical Center Brackenridge, has already undergone one brain surgery and is slated to undergo a second on Tuesday morning. Speaking with KVUE, O'Hare's parents, Joseph and Sylvia, said he is a graduate of St. Mary's University and recently spent time as a finance intern in New York City.
Kung Fu has yet to issue a formal statement, but did release the following to KVUE:
The safety of our customers is always our highest priority. We appreciate APD's assistance with this and wish the best to Mr. O'Hare and everyone affected.
