The heated rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks took a dark turn during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when a Pacers fan allegedly stabbed two Knicks fans at a brewery in Carmel, Indiana. The suspect, a 24-year-old Jarrett Funke, has been charged with three felony counts, including battery with a deadly weapon and battery causing serious injury.
The altercation occurred at Danny Boy Beer Works, where fans had gathered to watch the game. According to reports, Funke initially slapped a Knicks fan’s hat off his head and shouted,
“F— you, you still have a f—ing problem. Take this outside!”.
Witnesses say Funke was then escorted out of the bar by his father, but he later returned and stormed through the brewery fence, reigniting the confrontation.
One of the victims told police that he briefly pulled out a black folding knife in an attempt to scare Funke off but quickly put it away, insisting he never planned to use it. At that point, Funke allegedly pulled a knife from his hoodie and swung it, stabbing one Knicks fan in the back, causing a broken rib and a minor lung puncture. The second victim suffered a cut to his lower leg after hitting the stoop on the back patio during the fight.
Funke was arrested and is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail. His bond was set at $20,000, and he has been ordered to stay away from both victims. Multiple eyewitnesses identified Funke as the primary aggressor, contradicting his claim that he was attacked first.
While the Knicks-Pacers rivalry has produced legendary playoff battles, this incident highlights the dangers of fan violence.
