Myron D. Dunlap Death, Obituary News: Victim and Suspect Named in Deadly Fitchburg Bar Stabbing
A deadly stabbing outside a Fitchburg bar has left a community shaken and prompted a renewed focus on the venue’s history of violent incidents. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the victim as 39-year-old Myron D. Dunlap, a Fitchburg resident. Dunlap died following a stabbing that occurred early Tuesday morning in the parking lot of Monkeyshines Bar and Grill.
The Incident and Investigation
According to authorities, the incident happened around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, when Dunlap and another man, later identified as Rodney D. Golden, 39, of Madison, were involved in a confrontation that began inside the bar and escalated into the parking lot. It was there that the conflict turned deadly. Dunlap was transported to a nearby hospital after the stabbing, but he was later pronounced dead.
Arrest and Charges
Golden fled the scene before police arrived, and Dunlap was already en route to the hospital. Later that same day, Golden was arrested on tentative charges of first-degree intentional homicide. He was apprehended around 5:30 p.m. at a residence in Sun Prairie, where law enforcement officers discovered a rifle and a significant quantity of drugs—nearly 500 grams of fentanyl.
Community Impact and Response
The fatal stabbing is the latest in a troubling pattern of violent events linked to Monkeyshines Bar and Grill. According to police, the bar has been the site of multiple serious incidents in recent years, including separate shootings in 2021 and 2023, and another stabbing earlier in 2024. These repeated incidents have raised concerns within the community and among local officials about safety at the establishment and whether more oversight or intervention may be needed.
Investigation and Future Implications
As the investigation progresses, police will continue to review evidence, gather witness statements, and analyze surveillance footage. They hope that additional witnesses will step forward to provide a clearer picture of the events that unfolded early Tuesday morning. The arrest of Golden and the discovery of drugs and a firearm at the Sun Prairie residence have added new dimensions to the case, suggesting potential additional charges beyond the initial homicide accusation.
Conclusion
The death of Myron Dunlap has sent ripples through Fitchburg, where community members are mourning the loss of a local man and calling for measures to prevent future tragedies. While police have a suspect in custody, many questions remain about what exactly transpired in the moments leading up to the altercation and whether there were missed opportunities to de-escalate the situation before it turned deadly.
