Ex-brewery owner charged for throwing plate at LongHorn employee’s head after told not to feed his dog off the table
A former North Carolina brewery owner has been charged with assault after allegedly throwing a plate at a LongHorn Steakhouse employee during a heated dispute over feeding his dog at the table.
David Gary Sholar, 49, the former owner of Edward Teach Brewing in Wilmington, was arrested on August 7 for assault inflicting serious injury, according to the Wilmington Police Department.
The incident occurred on July 23, when Sholar was dining at the steakhouse with his dog. After he began feeding the dog directly from the table, a staff member informed him this violated health codes and asked him to stop. The employee reportedly offered to pack some food in a to-go container for the pet instead.
Sholar allegedly responded with a tirade of insults and obscenities. When the employee attempted to take a porcelain plate from his table, Sholar reportedly grabbed it and threw it at the employee’s head, fracturing the victim’s skull.
The employee was hospitalized and continues to suffer complications from the head injury, according to WECT.
Sholar was booked and released the same day on a $1,000 bond. The violent outburst has triggered public backlash, prompting Edward Teach Brewing to clarify that Sholar is no longer affiliated with the company. In a Facebook post, the brewery said it changed ownership on July 14, weeks before the steakhouse incident, and is now managed by Sholar’s sister, Amy Ottaway.
Local business owners have since rallied around the injured steakhouse worker. Wilmington restaurants Smoke on the Water and Fork ‘N Cork are now selling Edward Teach beer for $2, with all proceeds going to support the victim.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” said Diane Smith, whose family owns the two restaurants. “We want to support the person who was injured, support their business, and make a point that this is not OK.”
This is not Sholar’s first brush with the law. In 2024, he was arrested for assault and communicating threats after an incident involving a local musician at his former brewery. He later entered an Alford plea to reduced charges.
Sholar is scheduled to appear in court on September 16 in connection with the steakhouse assault.
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