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3 Stabbed After Fight Over Steelers, Pens

BEAVER COUNTY (KDKA) – Three people were stabbed, including the owner of the bar that was hosting a battle of the bands Saturday night in Harmony Township.

Police say it was fun and trouble-free during the annual Battle of the Bands event at the Ba'Runi Bar and Grill.

That was true until two men who had just moved here from Maryland showed up and started drinking. One of them began arguing with a patron about an NBA basketball shirt. Eventually, both men began blasting the Penguins and Steelers.

"They don't like the Penguins and there was some comments made about the Penguins," said Harmony Township Police Chief Jim Essek. "And then ultimately, it ended up about the Steelers and they're not Steeler fans."

Chief Essek says it appears that 35-year-old Michael Landeros and his nephew, 23-year-old Armando Encinas, were looking for trouble.

They started with two men who were occupying their seats earlier, but later moved. The chief says Landeros approached one of them while Encinas came up from behind with a knife.

"He was coming after the guy, the guy actually grabbed him and threw him down onto the ground, but it would have been behind the bar," said Essek.

Police say Encinas had a T-shaped knife between his fingers with a 4-inch blade sticking out. Police believe owner Alex Barlomas was stabbed when he intervened.

"Armando stabbed him in the right chest with this knife," Essek said.

He says employee Robert Gavulya stepped in and he was stabbed five or six times.

"Basically because he had he knife coming out like this, basically like he was just punching," Essek said, "every punch was a stab wound."

When Tim Edwards, a patron, tried to help, he was stabbed in the chest and arm. Landeros also had a knife, but he and Encinas were eventually disarmed and detained by a patron until police arrived.

"Witnesses were saying he stabbed all three of them in 15 seconds," Essek said.

Barlomas was treated and released from Allegheny General Hospital. Gavulya is in serious condition and Edwards was treated and released from the hospital.

Landeros and Encinas are locked up in the Beaver County Jail. Encinas is charged with several counts of aggravated assault and attempted homicide.

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