November 24, 2009 – Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie was under investigation Monday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following an early morning altercation at a Pacific Beach nightspot, authorities reported.
Cromartie allegedly hit a man on the head with a champagne bottle at Bar West on Hornblend Street about 1:15 a.m., according to San Diego Police.
 
The Pro Bowl star told investigating officers the container had merely “slipped out of his hand,” SDPD Detective Gary Hassen said. 

But the 24-year-old victim, known as Kam,  said he was “hit way too hard” for it to have slipped. He said previous media reports that the incident was a “fight” were incorrect.

The victim said he parties at Bar West every Sunday night and sees Charger players there every week. While the Chargers were celebrating their crucial win against the Denver Broncos, Kam was celebrating his birthday.

A witness, Gary Ratavossin, said both Kam and the Chargers were enjoying bottle service. “Every time you purchase a bottle, they bring out sparklers and somehow it became a battle of who has the deeper pockets and who can make fireworks go out in the club. We got 2 and then 2 more and then 10-15 bottles later, it became who could make the most fireworks go off.”

At that point, Kam said three Charger players walked straight at them and sprayed champagne all over them. Then, he felt a crack in his head.

He looked and saw all the Chargers had bottles in their hands still, except Cromartie.

Kam was taken to the hospital and reports having staples in his head and a C-T scan. He said he still felt dizzy on Monday night.

A police report about the incident was expected to be forwarded to the City Attorney’s Office for review Monday afternoon, Hassen said.

No formal charges have been filed yet in Cromartie’s case.