Bartender in Dallas knocked to the ground by man with branch

DALLAS, Texas – Dallas police are searching for an unidentified man who knocked a local bartender to the ground in a random and unprovoked attack downtown early Saturday morning.

Surveillance video shows the disturbing moment, which unfolded outside the City Tavern on Elm Street at around 1:42 a.m. The bartender, Adam Mercado, told WFAA he went into the bar to have a drink with his girlfriend and to greet friends there.

As you say goodnight on the outdoor patio, you see the unknown man walk by on the sidewalk, take a powerful swing, and then hit Mercado with a long stick.

Mercado was knocked to the ground.

The man then punches one of Mercado’s friends and pushes him to the ground before fleeing on foot. Mercado told WFAA he noticed the man before entering the bar and said he was holding a long tree branch with one end “shaped like a spear.”

“We decided to go to the bar, say hi to some friends, have a nightcap and then walk home,” Mercado said. “He looked suspicious so I led my girlfriend inside pretty quickly. We finished our drink and then said goodbye to a few people outside. I let my guard down for about 10 seconds and that was all it took – just a ‘CLAP.'”

“The branch broke on the back of my head and I fell to the ground,” Mercado added. “You don’t know what to do – you’re confused and all I can do is scream for help,” said Taylor Monnet, Mercado’s girlfriend.

Mercado was taken to hospital as a precaution. He is recovering and has suffered no permanent damage, but is suffering from a concussion and will also face a hefty hospital bill after some expensive scans.

Mercado is now raising money to cover these costs, especially since he will not be able to work for a while after the attack due to his disorientation.

You can help with a donation here.

Police have only surveillance video to use to find the suspect. They say the attack was random and unprovoked.

Mercado asks people to see if they recognize the person and to keep an eye out for them.

“I’m always on guard. Make sure you keep your head in view at all times – because I dropped my guard for 10 seconds and this happened.”