A beer can was thrown at a comedian performing in a New Jersey club over the weekend by the husband of an apparent Donald Trump fan who heckled the comic while she was onstage.
Insider has discovered that the owner of Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach intends to seek charges against the beer-thrower involved in the viral event.
Saturday night, while doing her set at the New Jersey club, comedian Ariel Elias engaged in a politically charged exchange with a patron, as evidenced by video.
—Ariel Elias (@Ariel Comedy)
9 October 2022
“A woman in the crowd could be heard asking Elias, “Did you vote for Donald Trump?” The comedian responded, “Why would you ask me that knowing I am the only Jew in this room? Are you attempting to get me killed?”
The customer added, “So you choose Biden.”
Elias verified that she voted for Vice President Joe Biden and asked the heckler why this was significant.
“I knew from your jokes that you voted for Biden,” the heckler remarked.
Elias said, “I could tell you voted for Trump by the fact that you’re still talking when nobody wants you to,” to cheers.
Moments afterwards, a beer can was thrown onto the stage, almost missing Elias as she performed her sketch before striking the brick wall behind her.
Audience members thereafter let out gasps of shock.
“Are you fucking kidding me? I will never leave the house with this gang again “During the hubbub, a man’s voice could be heard.
Elias replied to the unsettling situation by drinking the remaining beer from the can that was thrown at her, as the crowd clapped for her.
Elias told Insider on Monday, “My initial thinking was ‘that was such a difficult throw.’” “My subsequent thought was, “How can I recover from this?” I have five minutes remaining in my set.”
Elias stated that she had “never needed a drink more in my life” at that point.
“When I bent down to pick up the can, I discovered there was still some remaining inside; I believe my only option at this point is to consume it,” she stated.
Dino Ibelli, proprietor of Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club, told Insider that the incident occurred within three seconds and that Elias “didn’t even see the can coming.”
Ibelli identified the beer-thrower as the husband of the woman who initially heckled Elias as a local citizen.
Ibelli stated that the man tossed the beer can from his seat as his wife was exiting the comedy club, and that he subsequently fled the establishment.
Ibelli reported filing a report with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department and providing security footage. He stated that he intends to file charges.
The police agency did not react immediately to Insider’s request for comment.
Ibelli praised Elias for her beer-drinking reaction to the incident.
“She was a pro at picking up the can and sipping from it,” Ibelli claimed. “Oh my God, she’s a pro, she’s doing that!”
Elias told Insider that she wants “everyone to remember that we share more similarities than we know.”
Also, please refrain from throwing objects at me, she added.