Man punched, stomped in alleged knockout game-style attack

Cody Robinson, 30, says he was the victim of a “knockout game” attack early Friday on the Northwest Side. Cody Robinson, 30, says he was the victim of a “knockout game” attack early Friday on the Northwest Side. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Man punched, stomped in alleged knockout game-style attack 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — A man who was attacked after leaving a bar on the Northwest Side early Friday might have been a victim of the knockout game.

Cody Robinson, 30, said he had just arrived at his car after leaving the España Bar de Tapas, at 5638 W. Hausman Road, around 2 a.m. when an unidentified man punched him in the face and shouted “knockout.”

The knockout game is a random act of violence in which an assailant attempts to knock out a person with one punch. According to the Associated Press, the game has resulted in serious injuries, even death, nationally.

Robinson's attack didn't stop after the punch. He said at least four men surrounded and repeatedly stomped on him.

San Antonio Police, however, refused to call Robinson a knockout game victim because of what he told officers at the scene.

According to a police report, Robinson said he left the bar while a large fight was going on outside. As he walked through the fight to get to his car, a man questioned him. After a brief exchange, the report said, Robinson told officers approximately eight men jumped him.

Jack Gribbon, owner of España Bar de Tapas, contradicted the police report, saying a large fight near the restaurant never occurred that night.

“There was no fight. It was an assault,” he said.

Gribbon said Robinson was followed to his car, which was parked in a field near the bar, then beaten by several men.

Robinson said he has no recollection of telling officers anything mentioned in their report, however, he says the attack left him very confused and disoriented.

“I just got my brain smashed in,” he said. “I needed time to recuperate and think about what had just happened. I didn't argue with these guys. It was a random thing.”

Officer Roger Zuniga, an SAPD spokesman, said there have been no reported knockout game attacks in San Antonio.

While the initial report did not indicate a knockout game attack, the investigation into the incident is still active.

“I'm usually pretty good at diffusing situations,” Robinson said. “These guys just wanted to hurt me.”

Robinson said the attack has him spooked, and even though he has never had problems at España, he will likely never return.

“It's a life-changing experience,” he said. “I have no idea who they are, and they haven't been caught.”

Anyone with additional information on the attack can call SAPD at 210-207-7635.

mdwilson@express-news.net

Twitter: @MDWilsonSA