Police: Patrons Attacked By Men Using Homophobic Slurs At Dallas Gay Bar

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Police in Dallas are looking for two men who assaulted several people while using homophobic slurs at a gay bar this weekend.

The fight happened around 12:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at the Liquid Zoo Bar & Grill on Knight Street.

Detectives said they're investigating the incident as a hate crime.

The bar, which often features drag queen shows, posted the following statement via Facebook.

"One thing we at Zoo don't condone is the behavior that took place at the bar tonight. We are a family of customers, friends and staff. We want to apologize to our Zoo Peeps that were subjected to the group that came in and was causing problems. I just met with my Zoo Crew and addressed how this type of situation is to be handled in the future. We managed to provide good video to PD as well as license plates for a handful of the vehicles. We will not tolerate HATE against our bar."

Witnesses said it all started with two men throwing around homophobic slurs, but when bartenders tried to escort them out, they started throwing punches.

Ronnie Mikyles was working Saturday night inside the bar when this fight broke out.

"It was kind of nightmarish because you never know what's going to happen in that situation," Mikyles said. "My face had gotten split open, and the back of my head was swollen on the right side of my face."

The bar's owner, Gary Welborn, said this is a first for them. He said his patrons are a tight-knit group of regulars, and he never expected anything like this to happen.

"You would think being 2020 we wouldn't have that issue, but unfortunately, it's bred into a lot of people," Welborn said.

Mikyles said he also wants what happened to serve as a wake-up call to others.

"Spread a little more love, spread a little more joy and cheer instead of being so hateful or anything of that nature," Mikyles said. "I just hope it opens people's eyes, that sort of thing."

Detectives are investigating all possible motives or leads and ask that if anyone has additional details, please contact Dallas Police Department's Assault Detective Derek Gaffney at derek.gaffney@dallascityhall.com or 214-671-3703.