Two of the five Pima County jailers were fired today for an unprovoked attack Wednesday night at the Buffet Bar. On September 19, at about 2:00 a.m., Tucson Police officers responded to the Buffet Bar located at 538 East 9th Street reference a report of multiple suspects attacking two men outside of the bar. Three adult men and one juvenile were suffering from injuries as a result of violent physical attack by the five jail employees.
One of the victims was transported to a local area hospital with injuries, which were considered serious in nature.
The suspects responsible for attacking the victims had all fled the scene prior to police arrival.
Detectives determined that the attack began when a victim was attempting to unlock his bicycle from a bike rack located near the front of the building. Five suspects exited the bar and one of them punched the victim in the back of the head without provocation. The attack appeared to be unwarranted and the victim did not retaliate. The victim went back inside the bar and advised a second male of the incident and asked for his assistance in retrieving his bicycle in order to avoid further attack.
As the victim and the second man exited the bar, the five suspects confronted them. Following a brief exchange of words between the two groups, the five suspects began to physically assault both males by punching and kicking them. Both victims were brutally beaten and eventually fell to the ground where the suspects continued their relentless assault. Employees exited the bar and attempted to intervene and stop the aggression.
The suspects dispersed however, a few returned and resumed kicking one of the victims who was unconscious on the ground. A nearby resident along with his 17-year old son exited their home and appealed to the suspects to stop their attack on the helpless victims. One of the suspects turned his aggression towards the resident and his son and assaulted them both.
All suspects eventually fled the immediate area.
The suspect in the unprovoked attack were identified and arrested.
• 30-year old John Hyatt has been charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Victim Restrained or Incapacitated and 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Temporary but Substantial Injury
• 24-year old Matthew Garcia has been charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Victim Restrained or Incapacitated and 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Temporary but Substantial Injury
• 25-year old Anthony Bonfiglio has been charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Victim Restrained or Incapacitated and 4 counts of Aggravated Assault – Temporary but Substantial Injury
• 23-year old Angel Castaneda has been charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Victim Restrained or Incapacitated and 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Temporary but Substantial Injury
• 26-year old Steven Haglund has been charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Victim Restrained or Incapacitated and 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – Temporary but Substantial Injury
Detectives are continuing their investigation and are not ruling additional arrests or the possibility of added charges.
Castaneda and Haglund was fired today. Hyatt, Garcia, Bonfiglio and seven other officers were placed on administrative leave.