Power & Light bouncer is accused of assaulting patron

Prosecutors have accused a 21-year-old bouncer at a Power & Light District bar of assaulting a patron late Oct. 30.

Benjamin A. Baumer of Independence faces a second-degree assault charge after allegedly knocking out the victim’s front teeth. The victim also suffered a bruised jaw and a 1-inch cut on his shin.

Baumer was released from jail after posting $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

According to court records, the victim and a friend went to the Shark Bar after watching the Royals’ World Series game. Baumer told them to get off a wall near the dance floor. Baumer never identified himself as a bouncer or a bar employee and was not wearing clothing that would show he was an employee. Baumer repeated his command for the men to move.

The victim said they assumed Baumer worked at the bar and complied with his demand. Baumer told the men to leave and to put their hands up. They complied. When the victim turned his back, Baumer allegedly placed him in a chokehold until he passed out. The man said he awoke outside, bleeding, his front teeth missing and his jaw bruised. He could not breathe through his nose. A witness said Baumer had pushed the victim in the back of the head.

Baumer later told investigators the men ignored his commands to move. Baumer said the victim slapped away his hand as he pointed toward the door for them to leave.

Baumer said he and the man “grappled,” and he grabbed the victim in a “bear hold” and carried him outside. The victim fell forward, striking his face on the ground. Baumer confirmed to investigators that he never told the victim he worked for the bar or identified himself as a bar employee, but he said the men knew who he was.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Power & Light bouncer is accused of assaulting patron."