Grand Junction police are urgently asking for the public’s help to find a man who brutally attacked two people inside a popular local bar early Thursday morning. Security video captured the suspect in a distinctive U.S. Navy shirt before he vanished into the night.
The violent incident happened at Scallywags Bar and Grill just after midnight on December 26. Officers say the man suddenly assaulted two patrons without warning, leaving both victims injured and the crowded bar in chaos.
What We Know About the Attack
Police responded to Scallywags at 12:40 a.m. after multiple 911 calls reported a fight in progress. When officers arrived, they found two victims who had been punched and kicked by the suspect.
Witnesses told police the attack appeared completely unprovoked. One victim was knocked to the ground and repeatedly struck while trying to defend himself. The second victim stepped in to help and was also assaulted.
“These were vicious, targeted attacks on two separate people who did nothing to deserve this,” a Grand Junction Police spokesperson said Friday morning. “We need to get this guy off the streets before he hurts someone else.”
Bar staff acted quickly. Security escorted the suspect out after the assaults, but he fled the area before police arrived. No weapons were used, but both victims needed medical attention for facial injuries and bruises.
Suspect Description and Distinctive Clothing
The man police are looking for is described as:
- White male adult
- Short gray hair
- Last seen wearing a black long-sleeve quarter-zip pullover with a clear U.S. Navy emblem on the chest
- Medium build, approximately 5’10” to 6′ tall
The Navy shirt stands out as the key identifying feature. Multiple security cameras captured clear images of the suspect wearing the distinctive black quarter-zip with the military emblem prominently displayed.
Crime Stoppers of Mesa County has released still photos from the bar’s surveillance system showing the suspect both during the assault and leaving the building.
Community Response and Safety Concerns
The attack has shaken regular customers at Scallywags, a longtime Grand Junction favorite known for its friendly atmosphere and live music.
“I’ve been coming here for years and never seen anything like this,” one regular patron told reporters outside the bar Friday. “People come here to relax and have a good time. This guy just ruined that for everyone.”
Local bar owners say incidents like this, while rare, highlight the risks staff and patrons face. Scallywags management released a statement thanking their security team for their quick response and vowing to cooperate fully with the investigation.
This assault comes at a time when Grand Junction has seen a slight uptick in bar-related violence. Police records show nine reported assaults in licensed establishments so far in 2024, compared to six during the same period last year.
How You Can Help Catch This Suspect
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man in the Navy shirt to come forward immediately.
You can contact Crime Stoppers of Mesa County anonymously at 970-241-7867. Tipsters who help lead to an arrest could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.
“It’s very likely someone knows this guy,” police said. “He was wearing military clothing that suggests he either served or has a connection to someone who did. That Navy shirt is distinctive enough that someone will recognize him.”
Detectives are also reviewing additional surveillance footage from nearby businesses and checking license plate readers in the area around Scallywags.
The investigation remains very active. Police say identifying and arresting this suspect is their top priority, especially given the violent and unprovoked nature of the attacks.
Anyone who was at Scallywags early Thursday morning and hasn’t yet spoken to police is urged to call the non-emergency line at 970-242-6707.
Two people spent their holiday week recovering from injuries because one man decided to violently lash out in a place where people go to feel safe. Grand Junction is a tight-knit community that looks out for each other, and right now two victims and their families need that community support more than ever.
If you know the man in that Navy shirt, make the call. One tip could prevent the next victim.
