ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. — A local pub remains shuttered one week after a brutal assault on a Black man, allegedly by a group associated with the Outlaws Motorcycle Gang. The attack on James Simmons at Pike’s Pub occurred last Friday night and became a flashpoint for community outrage after video footage emerged on social media depicting the violence, which included racial slurs.
The incident has prompted significant reactions from local law enforcement and community leaders. Allen County Sheriff Troy Hershberger characterized the event as “deeply disturbing” and underscored its roots in hate during a press conference on Wednesday. The sheriff confirmed that his department is collaborating with the FBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Calls are mounting for justice as city officials, including Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker and Allen County Prosecutor Mike McAlexander, urge anyone with information to come forward. They emphasize the importance of community involvement in addressing such incidents and ensuring public safety. The prosecutor’s office will assess the findings of the investigation to determine appropriate charges.
Simmons, speaking publicly for the first time since the attack, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and reiterated his intent to pursue legal action against his assailants. Accompanying him was Pastor Carlton Lynch, who criticized the pub’s owners for failing to take responsibility and called for the establishment to remain closed indefinitely. Lynch emphasized that Simmons posed no threat prior to the confrontation and mourned the ongoing violence in the community.
The bar’s owners have been unreachable for comment regarding the incident or plans for reopening. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on edge, seeking answers and justice for Simmons.
Activists and community leaders are organizing efforts to ensure that such acts of violence are not tolerated, drawing attention to the broader implications of hate crimes. The incident has sparked conversations about race relations in the area and the role that local establishments play in fostering a safe environment for all patrons.
As the community awaits the outcome of the investigation, local leaders urge vigilance and cooperation, recognizing that the repercussions of such violence extend far beyond the individual incident.