Sequim area resident Morgan Weimer, 46, filed a federal lawsuit on Sept. 8 against the City of Sequim following a May 12, 2013, incident with Sequim Police that later went viral on the Internet.

Weimer is seeking damages and attorney’s fees in what he says is excessive force by police. Weimer was restrained and punched by officers after he was involved in two altercations in the Oasis Bar & Grill during a rock concert.

The lawsuit comes more than one year and four months after Weimer was involved in two brief altercations with bar patron Chris Boynton, video surveillance footage shows.

Before the second altercation, Weimer asked Boynton to stop leaning on him, according to law enforcement officials.

Sequim Police arrived at the bar as part of what they said was a routine check about two minutes before the second altercation, leading officers to restrain Weimer and take him outside.

There, another bar patron captured video of the altercation between Weimer and officers using a phone and later posted it online.

When outside, Weimer was punched by officer Grant Dennis, Police Chief Bill Dickinson said, after Weimer appeared to be trying to push himself up while reaching another arm around Dennis’ waist, bringing his arm close to Dennis’ Taser.

“It was reasonable use of force allowed by law,” Dickinson said. “Watch the (surveillance) video. This guy initiated two fights before this. Officers felt threatened.”

In the excessive force claim for Weimer, he seeks to cover medical bills, lost wages while not working and attorney fees.

Dickinson said they didn’t arrest Weimer that night because he told officers he had a child alone at home, though Weimer was cited later.

Following the incident, Weimer pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and paid $100 in fines and served eight hours of community service.

Weimer also made an informal complaint about the Sequim Police to Sequim City Attorney Craig Ritchie that led to an investigation to see if Dennis used excessive force. It was deemed he did not, law enforcement said.

Ritchie said the lawsuit is currently with the city’s risk pool attorneys but the city has not seen it yet.

No court dates have been set yet.

To see the surveillance video of the night, visit http://vimeo.com/68631714.

To see the viral video of Weimer and the police, visit http://pnw.cc/BzQB9.