CARMEL, IN – An Indiana man is facing serious charges after allegedly attacking two patrons with a knife at a local brewery during an altercation sparked by a basketball rivalry between fans of the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.
Jarrett Funke, 24, has been charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness following the incident on May 23 at Danny Boy Beer Works in Carmel, according to law enforcement officials. The incident reportedly erupted during the Knicks-Pacers game when Funke, a Carmel resident, targeted a Knicks fan, leading to a violent encounter.
Witnesses and authorities say that Funke’s actions were triggered by this sports rivalry. According to a police affidavit, Funke began by knocking a Knicks cap off one victim’s head and resorting to foul language, escalating tensions inside the brewery.
The affidavit also notes that the victims, who were there to watch the game, did not provoke Funke. They reported that Funke began mocking one of them aggressively, prompting a heated exchange. Despite efforts by Funke’s father to de-escalate the situation, his son continued to provoke the fans.
The situation appeared to calm down indoors, but when the victims stepped outside to smoke, Funke allegedly followed them and reignited the conflict. Police documents reveal that Funke attacked one of the victims, leading to a scuffle on the patio.
During the physical confrontation, Funke reportedly stabbed both men — one in the back and the other in the leg. Interviewed by the police, Funke claimed that he believed one of the men had a knife and felt provoked, resulting in his decision to act in self-defense.
However, multiple witness accounts contradicted Funke’s version of events, identifying him as the primary aggressor in the altercation. Funke claimed he only reacted after being overpowered and struck by one of the victims, but witnesses and evidence suggest otherwise.
Funke appeared in Hamilton County court on Tuesday, where he was granted bail set at $20,000. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for August 5, with the trial expected to commence on September 8.
This incident underscores the intensity of sports rivalries and the dangers of allowing such passions to spill over into violence. As the case proceeds, the community awaits justice for the victims involved in this unfortunate altercation.