Student likely blinded in Ballard bar attack
SEATTLE -- A 21-year-old Norwegian college student will likely be blinded after an unprovoked attack at a Ballard bar, King Couny prosecutors said.
Michael J. Squibb, 54, is accused of slamming a bar glass into Joakim Grevstad's face at the Smoke Shop Bar on May 17, according to charging documents. Grevstad's injuries are so severe, he is likely to lose his right eye and faces lifelong pain, prosecutors said.
Grevstad had been at the bar with friends celebrating Norwegian Independence Day. There was no reported interaction between him and Squibb before the attack, the charging documents stated. Witnesses said they heard the sound of glass breaking and saw the Grevstad on the floor, bleeding profusely from his face with broken glass all around him. They described Squibb as standing nearby and muttering while looking angrily at Grevstad.
Squibb later admitted to officers that he punched Grevstad, but denied hitting him with a glass. Squibb claimed Grevstad was "getting in face," and wouldn't stay back. Squibb has been charged with assault.
Bar staffers told police that Grevstad was very intoxicated at the time of the attack. He told police he does not remember the assault or who hit him.
Grevstad underwent surgery, but will likely require a prosthetic eye as a result of the attack, prosecutors said.