Resident reports alleged hate-motivated assault at Sharkey's Bar; police case opened

During the City of Cedar Falls’ March 17 public forum, Everett Wilson described an incident he said occurred March 15 at Sharkey's Bar on College Hill in which he was verbally harassed and physically disarmed while recording the encounter.

Wilson said he and a friend had dressed for a night out and that patrons and staff began making derogatory remarks. He said an individual identified by name as Landon Foley called him a slur, then punched his phone from his hand. Wilson said he hit the individual in self-defense; he said the manager, identified in his remarks as Sierra, asked them to leave and refused to review security camera footage. Wilson said he later found his phone in a dumpster and that he has an open police case and is pressing charges.

Wilson framed the incident in broader terms, warning of escalating discrimination against transgender people and concluding, “Trans rights are human rights, and we will never be erased or forgotten.”

Mayor (presiding) responded during the meeting by noting that, while the city cannot comment on an active police investigation, assault and harassment remain crimes regardless of protected class status and will be enforced. The mayor also referenced a recent local hate-crimes forum and said questions remain about changes to state civil-rights protections but that criminal statutes for assault and aggravated assault remain enforceable.

No council action on the incident was taken at the March 17 meeting; the matter was presented as public comment and city staff said Cedar Falls Police have an open case.