(Scypre.com) – Recently, there was an altercation involving some members of a wedding party and the police in Newport, Rhode Island.
The incident occurred last Sunday when an individual from the group was denied entry to the Landing Restaurant, a local seafood establishment and bar located by the dock. After being refused entry and shoving an employee, the individual, identified as David Onik, was asked to leave. When he refused, the restaurant staff called the police.
According to WPRI 12 News based in Providence, security staff informed the authorities that David Onik had become aggressive, shoving an employee and attempting to punch another before being restrained. His wife, Rachael Onik, became uncooperative when police tried to speak with him and was involved in an altercation, tripping and falling backward. When an officer intervened, attempting to manage the situation, he was surrounded by people from the wedding party, despite being told to stay back.
Footage of the incident depicted a struggle between several officers and the members of the wedding party in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
A woman identified as Alexandra Flaherty was seen in the video allegedly kicking an officer in the groin, prompting a direct response from the police to subdue her. The officer who intervened was then struck in the face by a man named Robert Nash.
During the process of arresting Nash, a suspect tried to grab an officer’s gun, resulting in the officer striking Rachael Onik in the jaw. She was knocked unconscious but later recovered. Following the incident, she was arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries to her jaw, head, and elbow. WPRI 12 reported that a total of six individuals were charged in connection with the incident.
Nash and Flaherty faced charges including assault of police officers and other officials, simple assault or battery, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct.
Olivia Costello, another individual involved, faced charges of simple assault or battery, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct. Rachael Onik faced similar charges but with two counts of simple assault or battery.
David Onik was charged with disorderly conduct, and Kylie Swain, another individual present, faced charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Five of the individuals charged appeared in court on Wednesday. The Onik couple entered not-guilty pleas, and their bail was set at $1,000. Flaherty and Nash did not enter pleas, as their cases are being moved to superior court, and their bail was also set at $1,000. Olivia Costello pleaded not guilty, and her bail was set at $1,000. Swain has not yet appeared in court according to available information.