Miami Beach Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who allegedly attacked a visiting gay couple at the BK Whopper Bar in South Beach. The confrontation led to a brawl that was caught on tape by the restaurant's security cameras.
According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, March 14. The couple, Eric Danko, 25, and Jordon Schaeffer, 24, told police they began kissing inside the fast-food joint.
The victims say other patrons in the restaurant started shouting slurs, including "faggot," at them. Three men then confronted the couple. After an argument, one of the men lunged at one of the victims.
Here's the video of the melee via NBC Miami.
In the clip, one man, in a black T-shirt, can be seen picking up one of the victims and slamming him to the ground. The melee continues on the floor, and at one point one man gets the other victim in a headlock with his legs. Other customers try to break up the fight, but another man in a long-sleeved white shirt pushes others away, apparently to let the fight continue.
The fight eventually breaks up, and the aggressors can be seen leaving the restaurant. According to Local 10, Danko then left the restaurant to go after the men and got into another fight a block away. Danko was eventually arrested for his part in the fight. He later admitted to being under the influence of GHB.
Schaeffer also suffered injuries in the melee but was not charged.
According to social media, the pair was in town visiting from Los Angeles.
Police are looking for the man in the black T-shirt. Police also hope to identify the man in the long-sleeved white shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
The Whopper Bar, a fast-casual twist on regular Burger King fare and a popular postpartying munchies destination, is located on Washington Avenue near 11th Street. Longtime gay bar Twist is located just across the street.
The incident
