Former Moloko Bar Partner Attacks DJ With a Sword

Last week, former Moloko Bar managing partner Charlie Valentine attacked someone with a Japanese sword and stabbed him with a dagger on Friday, January 13. While the victim, Miguel Angel (also known as popular DJ ulovei) was badly injured from the assault, he fortunately was still up for finishing his show later that night at the Volstead Lounge.

That evening, Angel was waiting for a friend in his East Austin apartment when someone knocked on the door. It was Valentine, whose real name is Shusaku Shiroyama. The Statesman wrote:

[...] it was a man in a ski mask with a samurai sword in his hand. “He just started swinging at me and attacking,” Angel said. He said he recognized Shiroyama by his voice and eyes. He said he grabbed the katana blade with his hands to keep Shiroyama from stabbing and slashing him further, but then Shiroyama pulled out a dagger from behind and stabbed Angel in the back. During the struggle, Angel said the mask moved to reveal more of Shiroyama’s face.

Then the expected friend, Kirkland Audain, arrived to that scene. Valentine chased Audain outside of the apartment building, but he managed to call 911 from his car.

Moloko co-owner Miguel Jimenez confirmed to Eater that Valentine is no longer a part of the bar. Fidel Campbell, who helped create the cocktail program, is now the general manager. He previously worked at Weather Up. Jimenez also runs other bars in Austin: Lost Well, St. Roch’s, and Nomad. The bar also shared the following note on Facebook:

From all of us here at MOLOKO:

We offer our deepest condolences to Miguel Angel & all his family & friends regarding the incident that occurred on January 13th. We stand by Miguel Angel & we are committed to helping with his recovery. The incident was a personal attack and was in no way affiliated with MOLOKO. The actual owners, Miguel Jimenez & Tami Neumann, assure you that Charlie Valentine no longer has affiliation with MOLOKO.

To the community & our patrons, we cannot stress enough how truly sorry we are. We look forward to putting this dark chapter behind us and we thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Miguel Jimenez
Tami "Slim" Neumann
Fidel Campbell

Valentine is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony. He is currently still in jail.

Pegged as a bar inspired by surreal film and novel A Clockwork Orange, Moloko opened in October 2016 on East 12th Street.

• Austin DJ beats luck, plays Friday the 13th gig after getting stabbed [Statesman]
• All Coverage of Moloko [EATX]