Indiana Pacers fan, 24, accused of stabbing New York Knicks rivals in furious bar attack during playoff game

Daily Mail​

28-05-2025

An Indiana Pacers fan allegedly stabbed two New York Knicks supporters while watching his team's playoff victory at a bar in Carmel last Friday.
According to local news station FOX59, Carmel resident Jarrett Funke, 24, was initially kicked out of a brewery in the Indiana city for harassing the two rival fans in question during Game 2 of Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and the Knicks.
He is then said to have returned and stabbed one man in the back before attempting to leave. When police arrived, however, another individual was also found with a wound in his leg.
Police were initially called to the brewery because of an alleged fight involving Funke, yet when he was kicked out the caller stated that officers no longer needed to respond.
Minutes later an employee of the establishment reportedly called them back after Funke had returned to its patio, before stabbing the first Knicks supporter in the back.
The two victims allegedly told police that the Pacers rival approached them at the bar and 'smacked' one of their Knicks hats onto the ground.
The incident took place during the Pacers' Game 2 victory over the Knicks on Friday night
They claim Funke was then taken outside as he shouted 'f*** you, you still have a f***ing problem. Take this outside.'
Five minutes later, when they were stood outside on the patio, the Pacers supporter is then said to have 'stormed through the fence' of the brewery and attacked them.
One of the victims allegedly told police that he 'briefly displayed a black folding pocket knife to deter (Funke) but repocketed it, as he had no intention of using it.'
What began as a verbal altercation then turned into a physical one, with Funke allegedly stabbing both Knicks fans.
The latter reportedly told police that they initiated the argument after 'talking s***'.
Funke claims one of them pushed him to the ground and 'began punching him in the face'. Documents state that the Indiana native alleges he 'retrieved his pocketknife from his hoodie and swung it around towards (one of the Knicks fans) back with his right hand.'
Though according to multiple witnesses, Funke was the 'primary aggressor in this incident.'
His initial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Hamilton County.
The Pacers took a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Knicks last Friday, only for New York to reduce the deficit to 2-1 on Monday ahead of a crucial Game 4 on Tuesday night.