A 23-year-old man was assaulted near Congress Street bars at Ellis Square late Friday night, resulting in the arrest of two men from Bluffton.
Twenty-two-year-old Gabriel Adame and 21-year-old Juan Moctezuma were arrested Friday at around 11:30 p.m. after the fight.
Reports from the Savannah Police Department indicate that a video shows Adame and Moctezuma in a confrontation with the victim, identified as 23-year-old Kevin Mcrae, outside a bar.
Gabriel told SPD Mcrae attacked Moctezuma’s girlfriend prior to the fight.
According to SPD, Mcrae is filmed pushing Moctezuma in the chest, forcing him to step back, and Adame throws the first punch.
Moctezuma then wrestled Mcrae to the ground, and the two men continued to punch him.
While Gabriel was detained without any trouble, Moctezuma resisted arrest by shouting insults and using profanity directed at the officers as they tried to handcuff him.
Both suspects were arrested charges of aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
Gabriel was booked into Chatham County Jail without bond, and Moctezuma bonded out of jail Monday.
Mcrae sustained serious injuries in the fight, lost consciousness and had two teeth completely knocked, according to SPD.
spoke to a few patrons who frequent Ellis Square at night, especially during the bar rush.
One told us the violence is not of concern.
“It doesn’t shock me, because the stuff is so isolated that I don’t feel any danger,” said Mark Hansen.
Another told us she has noticed an increased presence of uniformed police officers in the area lately.
“Definitely more cops around here, around Broughton Street, even driving around,” said life-long Savannah resident Zoe Jama.
She said the appearance of more officers sends an ominous message and is reflective of what could be increasing violence.
“It doesn’t necessarily make me feel unsafe, but it doesn’t necessarily make me feel more safe. I know Savannah very well,” said Jama.
We reached out to SPD about specifics about the weekend bar rush shifts and a spokesperson said they are looking into the inquiry.
