A violent altercation at a downtown Austin bar in February has resulted in the arrest of two individuals, with a third suspect still being sought by authorities. The incident, which left a man with a traumatic brain injury, occurred at the Lowdown Lounge on 6th Street.
Darion Deshon Dickson, 29, has been charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, classified as a third-degree felony. Jamal Joseph Brooks, 34, faces a Class A misdemeanor charge for assault causing bodily injury. Both men have been released on bond—Dickson on a $20,000 bond with restrictions to avoid contact with the victim, and Brooks on a $3,000 bond with similar conditions.
Incident Overview
The events leading to the arrests unfolded in the early hours of February 28, when the Austin Police Department received a call regarding a “disturbance urgent” at the lounge. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a man bleeding from his head and unable to respond to questions. Medical evaluations later confirmed that he had sustained a concussion.
Surveillance footage from the bar played a critical role in identifying the involved parties. The victim, upon later contact with detectives, reported that he had no recollection of the incident, aside from being struck by one of the assailants. Medical records detailed his injuries, which included a skull fracture, traumatic brain injury, memory loss, muscle spasms, and a loss of smell and taste.
Witness accounts from the victim’s friends indicated that the altercation began when the victim accidentally bumped into another patron, leading to a verbal dispute. Attempts to diffuse the situation were unsuccessful, and the confrontation escalated when the other party returned with friends, resulting in a physical attack where the victim was punched and subsequently fell unconscious.
According to the affidavit, Dickson was captured on video delivering punches to both the victim and one of his friends, while Brooks and another unidentified individual participated in the violence. The third suspect has been described as a Black male, approximately 6’5″ to 6’6″, with a large build, last seen wearing a dark hoodie and possibly having facial hair. Authorities believe he may have connections to the Houston area.
Legal Proceedings
Both Dickson and Brooks have previous legal issues, with Dickson having multiple dismissed misdemeanors related to possession and assault, and Brooks facing past charges for filing false reports and evading arrest. Dickson’s court appearance is scheduled for April 24, while Brooks is set to appear on May 27.
Investigators are urging anyone with information regarding the third suspect to contact the Austin Police Department’s Aggravated Assault Unit or submit tips anonymously through local crime stoppers.
