Two arrested after Sebastopol bar fight

A Sebastopol police officer on routine foot patrol broke up a rowdy bar fight in downtown Sebastopol on Tuesday night.

Sgt. David Ginn was patrolling near Jasper O’Farrell’s on Sebastopol Avenue around 10 p.m. when he discovered a group of five people in the back patio involved in a brawl. One of the men, identified as Eric Meeker of Sebastopol, attacked a homeless man with some type of metal canister, police said.

The homeless man was identified as Damon May.

It was unclear what provoked the fight.

Both Meeker and May were arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail. Meeker, 41, was arrested on several charges, including suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.

Records indicated May, also 41, was on probation for a prior conviction of driving under the influence. He was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and for violating his probation.

During Meeker’s arrest, he picked up a bar stool and attempted to attack May with it, prompting Ginn to use his stun gun.

“Sgt. Ginn ordered Meeker to sit down several times, but he didn’t comply. Instead he picked up the stool and tried to strike May with it,” said Officer Joe Furry with the Sebastopol Police Department. “Sgt. Ginn was able to detain the assailant after deploying his Taser.”

As Ginn was arresting Meeker, May attempted to escape. He was arrested outside the bar.

Other officers assisted Ginn outside the bar.

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 707-526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.