Chaos at Richmond Bar: Man Kicked Out, Returns with Raccoon in Revenge Stunt, Police Say
Richmond, VA — A night out took a wild turn after a man allegedly released a live raccoon into a local bar shortly after being kicked out by staff, according to police.
Witnesses say the man, whose name has not yet been released, was asked to leave The Thirsty Taproom late Saturday night due to “disruptive behavior.” What followed, however, shocked both patrons and employees.
Roughly 30 minutes after his removal, the man returned carrying a box. Without warning, he opened it in the middle of the bar — unleashing a raccoon that immediately scurried across tables, causing panic. Screams erupted as drinks flew and customers scrambled to avoid the startled animal. One bartender described the scene as “pure chaos,” with several people fleeing to the parking lot.
Police responded quickly to the scene and were able to safely remove the raccoon with assistance from animal control. No injuries were reported, though one customer said they spilled “a very expensive cocktail” during the commotion.
Authorities later located and arrested the suspect at a nearby residence. He faces multiple charges including disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, and wildlife-related violations.
“It’s not something you expect on a Saturday night,” said bar manager Carla Simmons. “We’ve dealt with rowdy customers, but never wildlife warfare.”
The bar reopened the following day and is now considering new security protocols — including checking boxes at the door. The raccoon, reportedly unharmed, was released safely into the wild.
