VERONA, Pa. — A man accused in a violent attack at a bar in Verona over the weekend turned himself in on Monday morning.
Police responded to the Hula Bar on East Railroad Avenue for an altercation and a severely injured patron around 11:12 p.m. on Saturday.
When officers arrived, they found a man being treated by bystanders who were rendering first aid. Police said the 27-year-old victim had lacerations to his face and neck.
On Monday, the Verona Police Department identified the suspect as Michael Powell, 39, of Oakmont. A felony arrest warrant for aggravated assault was issued for Powell.
Only Channel 11 was there when Powell turned himself in to the Verona Police on Monday.
Chief Thomas Dessell with Verona Police said, “Some type of altercation inside that establishment where the suspect took a beer mug and used it as a weapon and smashed it over the victim’s face and head.”
Dessell said the victim’s injuries are potentially life-threatening.
“They were lucid for the most part, but they were bleeding profusely during the incident,” Chief Dessell said.
Chief Dessell says it’s unclear exactly what prompted the argument between Powell and the other man. Dessell says his department hasn’t had any issues with the Hula Bar like this before.
He said, “This was completely isolated and not normal for this area.”
Verona neighbor Josh Coplai said, “It just blows my mind. I was right here. We were sleeping I had no idea what - anything was going on. Like you would’ve never expected that from something like this.”
Residents who live next to the bar also say they haven’t had problems.
“There’ll be a lot of people and they’ll be in the streets enjoying themselves but there’s never any problems that I’ve seen when I’ve been walking by,” Coplai added.
The victim is recovering at the hospital, where he was last listed in serious condition. Powell is at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting his arraignment.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Verona Police Department at 911.
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