BEDFORD — A Bedford man is facing charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury after a violent altercation at Bandana’s Bar on November 17 left another man unconscious with serious injuries.
Dakota L. Pemberton, 28, was arrested following the incident, which occurred early in the morning outside the bar at 1220 5th Street. Police were dispatched at approximately 2:10 a.m. after receiving a report of an unconscious male lying in the parking lot. When police arrived, they found the male victim was surrounded by bystanders attempting to administer aid.
According to Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner, several individuals at the scene reported witnessing the incident’s aftermath but did not see the altercation. A female witness stated that she believed Pemberton was responsible for the battering but had not observed the event firsthand. Other witnesses confirmed they had not seen the attack but were aware of the disturbance.
Pemberton, who fled the scene on foot after the altercation, was located later that morning at a nearby business, Shorty’s Bar, where he was detained. Employees there reported that Pemberton had barged into the business, claiming he had been punched before striking someone in return.
When questioned, Pemberton told officers he had been physically removed from Bandana’s Bar by an unknown male and later struck in the mouth outside the bar, which caused him to bleed. He claimed that, fearing further attack, he hit back when another male approached him aggressively. Pemberton stated that he did not recall whether the male was the same man who had earlier struck him but admitted to hitting him once in self-defense.
The injured male, who had been transported to IU Health Bedford for medical treatment, was unable to provide a clear statement to officers at the time due to his confusion and memory loss. However, after reviewing surveillance footage from the bar, investigators observed the victim had walked outside and verbally exchanged with Pemberton. After an initial confrontation, the victim returned to Pemberton, and the two exchanged words again. In the video, Pemberton is seen striking the man in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the asphalt, rendering him unconscious.
The victim later called Officer Turner to provide further details despite his initial lack of recollection. During the phone conversation, he recalled that Pemberton had been disruptive throughout the evening, prompting bar staff to eject him. He stated that he confronted Pemberton over his disrespectful behavior, specifically Pemberton’s remarks about women. The victim did not remember being struck but woke up surrounded by concerned patrons and law enforcement.
Following the investigation, including the video footage and victim’s statement, Pemberton was charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury. However, he did not respond to requests for an interview, and his intoxicated state at the time of the initial questioning hindered a complete account of his actions.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Pemberton’s arrest.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
