By FireRescue1 Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A firefighter accused of being involved in a bar fight was suspended without pay for 30 days this week.
The alleged victim told police that on Aug. 7, firefighter Robert Brown, 38, sucker punched him twice when he went to order a drink at the bar.
The victim further stated that he returned to the bar to save the footage of the assault on a thumb drive, reported WKRN. After visiting the doctor, the man was told he sustained an injury to the eye and a sinus cavity infection.
“Mr. Brown was defending himself that night and I feel when the facts come out in this case, it will be a totally different story,” Brown’s lawyer, Bryan Lewis said. He said four individuals, including the victim, threatened to harm Brown and his girlfriend and that Brown was trying to pay his tab and leave when the incident occurred.
Brown was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Following a disciplinary hearing, Brown was suspended from the Nashville Fire Department for 30 days without pay.
“In the rare occurrence where it is necessary, the Nashville Fire Department takes swift and appropriate action to handle disciplinary matters. In this case, the department immediately pulled that firefighter from duty upon hearing of the incident,” the department’s Spokesperson Brian Haas said.
Brown’s case will go to court Oct. 17.