A physical altercation took place between two people in downtown Kent on Aug. 29, leaving one with significant facial injuries, said Kent Police Administrative Lieutenant Mike Lewis.

While it’s unconfirmed if the altercation was an assault or a fight, it started verbally between two parties, each with two people, inside Panini’s. The altercation stopped, then rekindled on South Water Street near Franklin Square Deli, turning physical between one person from each party, Lewis said. 

Police were called at 10:30 p.m. The member of one party was treated by paramedics and transported to a hospital, said Lewis. According to a Facebook post by Franklin Square Deli, he was unconscious after the altercation and was released from the hospital on Tuesday. The post also identified the hospitalized man as the owner of Klean Escape.

One party had already fled the scene, heading southbound on Water Street. Kent Police are still searching for this party, Lewis said.

“We certainly want to hear both sides,” he said. “So, we’d like to speak with the other half that was involved.”

One of the men who fled has been described as a white male wearing a red hat and a white shirt, Lewis said.

“We could actually use the public’s help maybe to gather some more information that might shed some light on exactly what happened that night,” he said. 

Any information on the altercation or suspects should be forwarded to the Kent Police Department at their non-emergency line: (330) 673-7732.

Nathan Mehring is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].