District Attorney Dismisses Charges Against Chris Young In Nashville Bar Incident

Just days after Chris Young, 38, was arrested at a Nashville bar, all charges against the chart-topping country singer have been dropped. 

Charges Dropped After Full Review Of Evidence

According to WSMV, District Attorney General Glenn Funk announced late Friday that the charges against Chris Young have been dismissed following a comprehensive examination of the evidence.  

“After a review of all the evidence in this case, the Office of the District Attorney has determined that these charges will be dismissed,” Funk said, according to the NBC affiliate. 

Following the statement made by the D.A., Young’s attorney, Bill Ramsey, shared, “Mr. Young and I are gratified with the DA’s decision clearing him of the charges and any wrong-doing.”

Young’s attorney initially denounced the arrest on Wednesday in a statement to the press. Ramsey stated: “What happened to my client Chris Young at a bar in Nashville on Monday night was wrong, and he never should have been arrested and charged in the first place. In light of the video evidence, Tennessee ABC needs to drop the charges and apologize for the physical, emotional and professional harm done towards my client.”

The Incident Took Place On Monday In Midtown

The incident took place on Monday evening (Jan. 22) at a bar in the area known as Midtown in Nashville. According to the affidavit, which obtained by Country Now, Young was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest (Res. Arr.) and Assault of an Officer. The report, completed by the arresting officer stated that Young “put his hands out to stop me from leaving the bar and stuck me on the shoulder. I then pushed Mr. Young to create distance, since I had no idea of who Mr. Young was or what he had.”

Surveillance Footage Raised New Questions

However, in the days following the arrest, News Channel 5 reporter Nick Beres obtained a video that appeared to contradict what was reported by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent in the affidavit. The newly surfaced clips captured by the Dawghouse Saloon’s security cameras gave the public a clear understanding of the situation that unfolded. In the clip, Young, who was donning a black leather jacket, could be seen standing around the bar with his friends as the TABC agents walked past him. 

The agents appeared to be making their way to the exit doors when Young lightly tapped an agent on the arm in what looked to be an unaggressive approach to get his attention. The agent then seemingly escalated the situation by forcefully pushing Young back, causing him to hit his back on the bar and stumble over a stool.

After nearly falling on the floor as a result of the agent’s actions, Young collected himself, immediately backed up, and put his hands up to signify that he didn’t want any issues. 

The footage did not show Young’s arrest, nor if he resisted arrest, but it left viewers in the comment section of Beres’ post to believe that the report did not reflect the events that took place. 

Young, who was initially released on bond after his arrest, can now proceed without facing any charges, as they have all been dropped.