Man punches four women in melee at Cedar Rapids bar

Police said a Cedar Rapids man punched five people, including four women, during a melee at a bar early Wednesday morning.

Johnny J. Oliver, 31, was arrested after the fight at Tailgators, 3969 Center Point Rd. NE. He has been charged with three counts of assault causing bodily injury, two counts of simple assault, fifth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication. Police said none of the injuries were serious.

Officers responded around 1:40 a.m. to an assault in progress at the bar. According to court documents, Oliver allegedly threw a billiards ball at a picture inside the bar, causing it to break.

"He had been drinking and was disruptive in the bar," said Officer Melissa Henderson, a police spokeswoman. "People were telling him to calm down, and it got out of hand."

Oliver punched Ron Rushing, 29, of Marion, Rayna Harrison, 34, of Cedar Rapids, and Divan James, 21, of Cedar Rapids, in their faces during the fight, according to a criminal complaint. Harrison was knocked unconscious by the blow, while Rushing and James suffered a sliced lip and cut eyebrow, respectively.

All three were treated and released at local hospitals, police said.

Colleen Tierney, 38, of Cedar Rapids, also was punched in the face, and Kris Turcott, age and city unknown, was punched in the shoulder, police said. Neither were injured.

Oliver was arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail. He remained in custody Wednesday afternoon, on the five charges and two probation violations, on a total of $20,000 cash bond.