Man slashed to the face in bar attack

A vicious attack in a downtown bar has left a 43-year old St. Catharines man in hospital with serious slash wounds to his face. Friends say the victim, Bryan Belanger is at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton tonight coming in and out of consciousness. The suspect in the attack turned himself in late this afternoon.

This is a picture of the victim, Bryan Belanger, lying in a hospital bed. His eye is bruised and his face is closed up with stitches after being slashed with a broken glass in a bar.

Chris West, friend: “He’s responsive now. He’s heavily sedated to help with the pain. Tried to fist bump him like he always does.”

The attack happened here at the Mikado Bar in St. Catharines early Friday morning just minutes after closing. Friends say a woman at the bar was being bothered by another man and Belanger intervened.

“That’s the kind of guy he is. He wouldn’t let somebody hassle a girl. He’s a really good guy.”

Friends Don and Cathy were on their way into the Mikado to see Belanger when they heard the news.

“It’s shocking it happened right here where we go. And our friends are there. And his family works here.”

Bryan Belanger just lived across the street. He was a regular at the Mikado. Friends say he was there every day.

When police got there, Belanger was bleeding heavily. He’d lost six pints of blood.

Niagara police Constable Derek Watson: “He was transported to hospital. He’s since had surgery and he may have some permanent paralysis as a result of the assault.”

West: “He’s got nerve damage on the side of his face.”

Using downtown closed circuit TV cameras, police were able to follow and identity a suspect. 30-year old Kasey Kish has family in St. Catharines but lives and works in Toronto.

A warrant had been issued for the arrest of Kasey Kish. Accompanied by his lawyer, he turned himself into Niagara police late this afternoon. He is now in custody, charged with aggravated assault.