Man Charged in Connection with Violent Bar Fight Leaving Victim Blind in One Eye

A 29-year-old River North nightclub worker, Julio De La Cruz, has been arrested and charged in connection with a brutal bar fight that occurred outside a West Loop bar late last year. The incident resulted in a 25-year-old man being permanently blinded in one eye.

The attack took place on December 15, 2024, outside PB&J bar located at 205 North Peoria. According to reports, the victim, who resides in Elgin, and a friend had visited PB&J after attending a hockey game. They initially kept to themselves until a fight erupted between other patrons at the bar.

During the altercation, the victim’s friend was punched in the face, pulling him into the fight. The victim attempted to intervene and pull his companion out of the scuffle, but bouncers eventually ejected everyone involved, including the victim and his friend.

Outside the bar, the victim’s friend was attacked again by one of the individuals from the initial altercation. As a small group gathered around the scuffle, the victim found himself alone when De La Cruz approached him and instigated a fight, allegedly asking if he wanted to engage in combat.

Despite the victim signaling that he did not want to fight, De La Cruz forcefully pushed him into a fence, leading to a physical altercation. The victim and De La Cruz grappled briefly without throwing punches, but De La Cruz managed to kick the victim directly in the eye, causing significant injury.

The victim felt a pop and blood streaming down his face from his eye socket. He managed to separate from De La Cruz and call 911 for help. Surveillance footage captured the violent incident, including the kick to the victim’s face.

As the victim awaited medical assistance, De La Cruz returned, shouting and attempting to provoke him until he realized the severity of the injury and walked away. Surgeons tried to save the victim’s left eye, but he is now permanently blind on that side, having suffered an orbital fracture, globe fracture, and a broken nose.

After Chicago police released surveillance images of the suspect in January, with the public’s help, De La Cruz was identified and located. He has been charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Despite the state’s request to detain De La Cruz, Judge Luciano Panici Jr. ordered his release on electronic monitoring. The victim continues to deal with the consequences of the violent attack, while De La Cruz faces legal repercussions for his actions.

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