Witnesses sought in bar assault

Photo: Carmen Weld

North Okanagan RCMP are asking for the public’s help in solving a violent assault that took place early Sunday morning in Vernon. 

According to police, they were called to Monashee’s Bar and Grill around 1:30 a.m. after a man had been severely beaten.

Police arrived to find the 23-year-old Vernon man unconscious on the floor of the pub.

“The victim was reportedly punched and kicked in the head. The victim sustained a serious head injury with a fracture to the base of his skull and a broken nose,” says RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk, who adds there is no current indication of whether the two men knew each other.  

The victim was transferred to Kelowna General Hospital where he remains in recovery after seeing a neurosurgeon.

Police interviewed patrons at the bar and identified another 23-year-old Vernon man who they suspect was involved in the fight.

That person was arrested, but no charges were laid and he was later released.

Police are now looking for more information to solidify any charges against him.

“We are still following up on information. Not all assaults are witnessed, although quite a few of them are, especially in a public area like that. We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen anything," adds Molendyk. 

The Vernon RCMP are asking anyone who witnessed this assault to please contact them at the Vernon Detachment at 250-545-7171.