CARMEL, IN — A 24-year-old Indiana man is facing serious charges after allegedly stabbing two men during a heated argument at a local brewery, authorities reported. The altercation reportedly began over a dispute regarding one of the men’s support for the New York Knicks, who were playing against the suspect’s hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, at the time.

The suspect, Jarrett Funke, has been charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness following the incident on May 23 at Danny Boy Beer Works, located in the 12700 block of Meeting House Road.

The confrontation erupted while the Knicks-Pacers game was ongoing. According to court documents, Funke allegedly began the incident by knocking a Knicks cap off one victim’s head, accompanied by aggressive verbal outbursts. Witnesses detailed Funke’s escalating behavior, stating it seemed to come out of nowhere and was provoked by nothing more than the victim’s team allegiance.

As tensions subsided, the victims, intending for a peaceful cigarette break outside, were confronted by a reenergized Funke. He reportedly stormed onto the patio and attacked them, leading to a physical altercation. Funke allegedly stabbed one man in the back and another in the leg during the fracas.

Even Funke’s father, a witness to the earlier dispute inside the bar, attempted to diffuse the situation. He reportedly tried to restrain his son before things got out of hand and urged him to calm down, but ultimately could not prevent the violence that ensued.

Officer statements describe multiple witnesses identifying Funke as the primary aggressor despite his claims that one of the victims displayed a knife first. Funke admitted to retrieving his own pocketknife in response but insisted he was acting defensively after being pushed and punched.

Following the altercation, both victims and Funke himself recounted the presence of a knife but differed on who instigated its use. Funke recalled being provoked as he was headed to his car and claimed self-defense during the confounding sequence of events.

Funke appeared in Hamilton County court, where a judge set his bail at $20,000. Currently Funke is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 5, with his trial slated to commence on Sep. 8.