A Dallas bartender is facing multiple charges after he was caught on video violently attacking a woman for blocking his car in a parking lot of the city’s Deep Ellum entertainment district on Thursday.
Authorities charged Austin Shuffield, 30, with aggravated assault causing bodily injury, public drunkenness and interference with an emergency call, The Dallas-Morning News reported.
The incident unfolded around 4:30 a.m. near the 2800 block of Elm Street, where the 24-year-old victim told police she was driving the wrong way down the road and had stopped. That’s when she says Shuffield got out of his truck and asked that she move her car, which was blocking the parking lot exit. Reports say the victim moved her car into the parking lot, whereupon Shuffield exited his truck and approached her.
A heated confrontation ensued, which witnesses saw and recorded.
Video obtained by Dallas-Fort Worth station CBS 11 shows Shuffield and the victim arguing as their dispute quickly turns physical. In the clip, the bartender is seen holding a gun as he talks with the young woman and, as more words are exchanged, smacks the cellphone from her hand as she tries dialing 911.
The woman reacted by giving Shuffield a quick punch to the face. Shuffield hit back, taking a boxer’s stance before punching his victim squarely in the jaw. As the woman reels from the blow, Shuffield delivers at least four more blows to her face and head.
Braxton Martin, who owns the High and Tight Barbershop and Speakeasy, told CBS 11 that Shuffield worked there as a bartender. He was fired as of Thursday afternoon.
“We have finally [spoken] with police representatives and have terminated this employee,” High and Tight wrote on its Facebook page. “We do not stand behind the actions that took place and hope that the full weight of the law comes down on this incident.”
The victim, who has since hired civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, reportedly suffered a ruptured eardrum in the attack, according to the station, though the full severity of her injuries are unclear.
In a statement, the attorney said that Shuffield should face felony assault and hate-crime charges because he reportedly launched into a full-blown racist tirade before attacking the young woman.
“Our office is speaking with the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney’s office to ensure all appropriate charges are pursued including felony assault, firearm and hate crime related charges,” Merritt said.
Shuffield was booked into the Dallas County Jail and released on $2,000 bond early Friday morning.
Watch more in the video below.
