A violent altercation between NBA fans escalated into a stabbing during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
According to local reports, 24-year-old Pacers fan Jarrett Funke allegedly stabbed a Knicks supporter at Danny Boy Beer Works, a brewery in Carmel, Indiana, on Friday night.
The incident began when Funke reportedly knocked a Knicks hat off one of the victims and verbally threatened the group. According to Fox 59 and News 8, he was removed from the brewery by his father but returned and allegedly stabbed a man in the back. That victim suffered a minor lung tear and a broken rib. Another man was injured after falling and suffering a leg laceration.
Witnesses said Funke “stormed through the fence” to attack the Knicks fans, one of whom briefly showed a pocketknife to deter him but did not use it. The confrontation left both victims “bleeding profusely,” per reports.
Funke claimed the Knicks supporters initiated the incident by insulting and assaulting him. However, police identified him as the “primary aggressor.” He has been charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery causing serious bodily injury (both Level 5 felonies), and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon (a Level 6 felony).
Funke is currently being held at Hamilton County Jail with no bond, and a court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
This violent encounter has overshadowed the Knicks-Pacers playoff series, as the Knicks look to even the score in Game 4 on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ