Three Suspects Charged in Brutal Group Assault Outside Crown Point Bar
Three suspects have been charged following a violent group assault that left a man hospitalized with serious injuries on the night of May 27, 2025, behind the Zombie Club bar on West Clark Street.
Crown Point Police say the attack occurred just after 10 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the bar. Officers arrived to find a 25-year-old male bleeding profusely from his head and suffering from multiple injuries. Witnesses on scene reported that the victim had been attacked by three individuals, later identified as Anthony Wright II, Heather Mallard, and Tyler Knapik, who then fled the scene through a nearby alley.
Surveillance footage and witness statements revealed that the trio had been involved in an escalating dispute with a separate bar patron, when the victim intervened and allegedly used a racial slur. The verbal altercation quickly turned physical.
Video evidence later obtained by detectives shows Mallard running toward the victim before he threw a container of food at her. She grabbed him, and as he tried to shake her off, Wright and Knapik rushed in, collectively punching and kicking him until he collapsed. All three suspects continued to strike him while he was defenseless on the ground before fleeing in different directions.
A 4-foot metal pipe, a sweatshirt, and a gray beanie were recovered from the scene. Investigators believe the pipe may have been involved, although the victim told police he was primarily attacked with fists and possibly a ringed hand.
Wright was taken into custody the same night after returning to the scene to report his tires were slashed. Officers noted blood on his hands and detained him. During questioning, Wright admitted to hitting the victim but claimed he was defending Mallard. Police say he attempted to tamper with evidence by rubbing the blood evidence off his hands inside the interview room after he was instructed not to remove the bags placed on his hands.
Mallard was later interviewed and admitted she chased after the victim after hearing the racial slur. She told officers she was pushed to the ground and hit by the victim before the others joined in the fight.
Knapik was identified through text messages on Wright’s phone and later confirmed his presence and involvement during a recorded police interview. He admitted to throwing “minimal punches” but acknowledged that the video “looked worse than just defending someone.”
The victim was transported to Methodist Hospital Southlake Campus, where he received four stitches to his forehead, two staples to the back of his head, and treatment for a severely split thumb that may require surgical repair later. He was discharged the next morning and cooperated with investigators.
All three suspects are facing charges including:
Aggravated Battery causing serious permanent disfigurement Level 3 Felony, Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Level 5 Felony, Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury Level 6 Felony, Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury Class A Misdemeanor.
