St. Paul, MN — A routine Thursday night turned deadly for a patron outside the Midway Saloon, nestled on the corner of University and Snelling Avenues, as tensions boiled over between a bouncer and a customer. Now, 29-year-old Davarius Lamonte Clark, a bouncer at the bar, faces severe legal repercussions.
The Incident: From Disrespect to Tragedy
In the early hours of August 7, 2025, police responded around 12:10 a.m. to reports of gunfire outside the Midway Saloon. First responders found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest; he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Clark remained at the scene and was detained by law enforcement. Initial statements by Clark included, “It’s my gun,” followed by, “I wouldn’t have shot someone for no reason, but do what you gotta do.”
Unraveling the Altercation: Bike, Spit, and Surveillance
According to court records, the clash started inside the bar when the deceased patron brought his bicycle inside — a move permitted by the manager. However, Clark repeatedly confronted him despite the manager’s approval.
Matters escalated when the patron allegedly spat on Clark multiple times— three times, as relayed by a bar employee. Surveillance video corroborated this, showing the patron spitting on Clark twice outside the bar. Shortly after, Clark reappeared with a gun and the fatal shot was fired.
Clark later stated he “blacked out” after being spat on a second time and only regained awareness when being placed in a squad car.
He also recounted the patron using a racial slur toward him, but emphasized that it “didn’t ‘really factor into his anger because it’s just a word.’”
Legal Fallout: Charges and Consequences
On Friday, August 8 or 9, 2025, Clark was charged in Ramsey County District Court with two counts of second-degree murder.If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of up to 80 years.
Despite holding a legally valid permit to carry a firearm from Hennepin County, Clark’s employer claimed no knowledge that he was armed while working — the bar does not employ armed security.
Reflection: A Collision of Protocol and Provocation
The case paints a sobering picture: a minor dispute over a bicycle spirals dramatically, with spit in the face igniting a lethal response. Surveillance footage, employee testimony, and Clark’s own remarks form a complex mosaic of provocation, authority, and repercussions.
As justice now weighs the line between self-defense and lethal excess, the community watches—and waits.