Caught on Camera: Georgia Man Charged After Sucker Punch Outside Fort Lauderdale Bar Leaves Victim with Brain Bleed
A violent confrontation outside a popular Fort Lauderdale nightlife spot has resulted in felony battery charges after surveillance and police body camera footage showed a Georgia man sucker-punching another man during a late-night altercation.
The incident occurred on March 1 just after midnight outside Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, located at 21 W. Las Olas Boulevard, a well-known hotspot in the city’s bustling downtown entertainment district.
According to police, the 23-year-old victim had entered the taco shop to order food while his girlfriend remained outside. That’s when two unknown men allegedly began talking to her. When the victim exited the restaurant and confronted them, one of the men suddenly struck him in the face—without warning—knocking him backward and causing his head to slam onto the pavement.
📹 Video Evidence and Immediate Response
Surveillance footage from the scene clearly captures the moment of the punch. The assailant, dressed in white, delivers the blow and then quickly flees the area on foot. A woman—identified by police as a friend of the victim—can be seen in the video chasing another man dressed in black, possibly a second individual involved in the confrontation.
Officers arrived shortly after and detained Casey Gunn, 23, of Cumming, Georgia. Body camera video released by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department shows Gunn being confronted by officers who tell him directly:
“You sucker punched him. The whole thing is on video.”
In the footage, Gunn is heard asking for an attorney. He was taken into custody at the scene but was not immediately charged, pending the victim’s decision on whether to press charges.
🧠 From Dismissal to Diagnosis
Initially, the victim declined to press charges, according to officers on scene. However, that changed days later when the man was diagnosed at the hospital with a brain bleed—a potentially life-threatening condition that elevated the case from a simple assault to a serious felony offense.
Upon learning of the injury, Broward County prosecutors filed a felony battery charge with great bodily harm against Gunn in March.
The case remained open until June 11, when Gunn turned himself in voluntarily to face the charge. He is now awaiting trial in Broward County.
⚖️ Legal Ramifications
Under Florida law, felony battery with great bodily harm is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, five years of probation, and a $10,000 fine. The severity of the injury plays a key role in the upgrade from misdemeanor battery to a felony charge.
Legal experts say the shift in the victim’s decision to cooperate is not uncommon in cases involving delayed medical diagnoses.
“People often walk away from fights thinking they’re fine—then symptoms show up hours or days later,” said Miami criminal defense attorney Rachel Lopez. “When that happens, prosecutors have every right to pursue charges, even if the victim initially declined.”
📍 Spotlight on Nightlife Violence
The attack adds to a troubling pattern of late-night violence in South Florida entertainment districts. Las Olas Boulevard, long known for its vibrant nightlife, has faced renewed scrutiny in recent months as viral videos of bar brawls, assaults, and unruly behavior make the rounds on social media.
Fort Lauderdale Police have increased weekend patrols and partnered with business owners to boost surveillance, particularly around closing hours between midnight and 2 a.m.
👁️ Community Response
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, the location of the incident, has not commented publicly on the event but has reportedly turned over surveillance footage to investigators. The restaurant remains open and continues to draw large crowds on weekends.
Local residents and patrons voiced concerns online about public safety and accountability. “It’s scary how fast something can happen,” one commenter wrote on a community Facebook page. “One punch can change someone’s life forever.”
📝 What’s Next
Casey Gunn is expected to appear before a Broward judge later this summer. Prosecutors have not said whether a plea deal is on the table, but the case is being closely watched as an example of how video evidence and delayed injuries can drastically change the course of a criminal investigation.
For now, one man is recovering from a traumatic head injury, another is facing prison time—and a moment of late-night violence continues to echo through Fort Lauderdale’s nightlife scene.
