An employee at a Downtown sports bar was charged Sunday with attempted homicide after he was accused of pouring degreaser into a co-worker’s drink.

Gregory Evans Jr., 30, of the North Side, an employee at Redbeard’s Bar & Grill, is charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Pittsburgh police said Allegheny County sheriffs arrested Mr. Evans on Wednesday.

According to a criminal complaint, a line cook at the bar alleged Mr. Evans poured the chemical solvent in his drink while they were working. 

During a shift on Aug. 7, the line cook was taking a sip of his strawberry tea when he smelled something odd and noticed small white bubbles in the beverage, according to the complaint. 

The line cook told police he immediately spit the liquid out, but his lips began to burn and turn red. He went to the hospital for examination but was released after testing, according to the complaint.

The cook asked the bar’s manager to review security footage to see if anyone had tampered with his drink. 

Footage showed Mr. Evans pouring heavy-duty degreaser into a cup and pouring the degreaser into the tea while the cook was away from it, according to the complaint.

The cook told police during questioning that he had no conflicts with Mr. Evans and that he did not think the incident was part of a joke.

Mr. Evans is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

First Published: August 23, 2022, 1:30 p.m.