From Staff Reports 

A brawl involving 20 people early Dec. 12 is highly unusual for downtown Asheville, according to city police Sgt. Evan Coward.

However, a bar owner Ben Reese, who witnessed the melée, told local news media he sees late-night, alcohol-fueled scuffles frequently.

When police arrived, a large fight was underway near Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar on North Market Street, according to arrest reports filed by city police. One person was arrested at 2:22 a.m. and the other at 2:30 a.m.

Reese, who owns and manages the bar, said he saw the fight erupt shortly after 2 a.m. — and called police.

When he went outside, he saw a guy who was “roughing up a girl, pushing her,” at one point putting his hand around her neck, he told the Asheville Citizen-Times. 

Reese added that some men on the other side jumped the fray in the middle of the street, apparently in protest of the woman’s treatment.

“Then all of a sudden a big fight ensued,” Reese told the Citizen-Times. “It’s my opinion that no one really wanted to fight. It looked like things were going to calm down and then, all of a sudden, people just flew in and just started throwing punches.”

Ten to 12 police officers responded, Reese said, and those involved in the melée appeared to be about 21 to 30 years old. Police charged two people with attacking responding officers.

“I was trying to take care of everyone (including) the bystanders that got caught up in the mix. It was just a horrible situation,” Reese said.

At least two people were seriously hurt, the bar owner said, while EMS said one person was transported to Mission Hospital about 3:05 a.m.

At least three to four people on the sidewalk were videotaping the brawl, Reese said.

 Vincent Duquon Henry Jr., 27, of the 100 block of Choctaw Street, was charged with misdemeanor counts of assault on a government official, simple affray and intoxicated and disruptive,.

According to warrants, Henry was striking a victim when officers approached. When an officer asked Henry to leave the scene, he yelled an obscenity, then “shoulder-checked” him and struck him in the back of his shoulder. Henry was placed under arrest and transported from the scene while the fight was still in progress, according to the warrant.

Tilman Deangelo Jackson, 29, of the first block of Hunt Hill Place, was charged with assault on a government official, according to warrants. He is accused of assaulting a senior police officer by approaching him from behind and pushing him with his shoulder during the disturbance.

Both men posted bond and were released.