On April 4, Steve Homan allegedly attacked and dragged a college freshman who visited his bar in Quincy, Illinois. The reported racially motivated assault involved 19-year-old Jazzpher Evans being placed in a chokehold and dragged for 20 seconds, WGN reported. Now, Homan is facing a felony charge of aggravated battery for his violent attack.
Homan, who owns an Illinois bar named The Barn, allegedly dragged Evans out of his bar and slammed her onto the ground. His anger was prompted after she requested a change of music at the establishment, Evans’ attorney, Keenan J. Saulter claims. Homan then completely lost control of his temper and placed the female undergrad student in a chokehold, before continuing the attack. According to WGN, she soon lost consciousness.
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Evans’ attorney’s firm, Saulter Law P.C., released a statement, referencing Homan’s assault as a hate crime. It also stated that 47-year-old Homan approached both Evans and a fellow white college student, before pushing Evans against a wall.
After choking her unconscious, Evans’ attorney alleged Homan “dragged her lifeless body out of his establishment and slammed her to the ground. Not knowing or caring is she was dead or alive.”
Her lawyers also claimed that following the attack, Evans was unconscious for “over five minutes,” and was escorted to the hospital to treat her “numerous injuries” on her face, back, nose and neck. She also allegedly suffered a “traumatic brain injury,” during the violent attack.
Evans graduated high school last year with an impressive 3.8 GPA, and is currently a freshman student at Quincy University, where she’s a member of the female basketball team. Her university’s president, Brain McGee, released a statement according to Newsweek, implying that they support Evans in the investigation.
“Quincy University supports its students and will never tolerate violence targeting a student,” he said. “We will do everything we can to make certain this assault is fully investigated. We are committed to keeping our students safe, supporting our students, and protecting this community.”
Homan’s first court date is set for May 5.
