INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD detectives from the Violent Crime Unit arrested Terence Lambert on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in a bar fight that left the victim in critical condition.
Police say Lambert is now facing a charge of aggravated battery in connection with the August 16 incident outside "That Place Bar" on South Emerson Avenue. David Risley remains in critical condition as of Thursday morning.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. when Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers responded to reports of a disturbance at the bar. Officers arrived to find Risley unconscious in the parking lot with another man performing chest compressions. Risley was immediately transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition.
According to the affidavit, witnesses told police they saw a fight between Risley and Lambert, who punched Risley, knocking him unconscious. After Risley fell face-first onto the parking lot pavement, witnesses said Lambert then stomped on his head.
Hospital officials confirmed the severity of Risley's injuries, telling detectives that Risley was on life support, had suffered a brain bleed, and his prognosis remained uncertain.
Documents revealed the incident began earlier in the evening when Risley's girlfriend and his sister reportedly became involved in an argument with another woman at the bar that became physical.
At some point during the scuffle, a security guard allegedly punched Risley's girlfriend in the face, although it's unclear if the action was intentional or not.
After dropping off the women, Risley returned to the bar with two friends to confront the security staff about the alleged assault on his girlfriend and sister.
According to witness testimony, Lambert told Risley he "didn't put his hands on your sister, I just wanted to put my hands on that [explicit]," pointing at Risley.
A physical altercation ensued, during which Lambert allegedly landed several punches to Risley's head, causing him to fall to the pavement.
The most damaging evidence comes from surveillance video, which shows Lambert stomping on Risley's head after he had already fallen unconscious.
Risley's friend was captured on video covering Risley's head to prevent Lambert from stomping him again. Witnesses reported hearing Risley snoring after the attack, a sign often associated with traumatic brain injury.
A warrant for Lambert's arrest was issued, and Lambert was taken into custody on Tuesday without incident, according to police.
