(Storm Lake)– A brawl early Sunday at a Storm Lake night club involving 40 to 60 people resulted in multiple arrests and injuries.
Public Safety Director Mark Prosser says officers were conducting a bar check shortly before 2:00 a.m. at Malarky’s when they encountered groups of people fighting in various areas of the establishment. Prosser says officers reported seeing bar stools and bottles being thrown. Atleast one person was knocked to the floor after being struck by a bar stool.
Additional officers were called to the scene and police and security staff started breaking up the fights while trying to move the crowd outside. Prosser says officers were forced to use batons to stop additional fights, including one officer that used his baton in order to prevent being struck in the head by a bar stool.
Atleast two men had to be tasered before they could be subdued by police. Prosser says dozens of people involved in the brawl managed to flee the scene as police were severely outnumbered. Police did manage to arrest five people allegedly involved. 29-year-old Michael Davis of Sioux City and 22-year-old Mashawn Rhodes of Storm Lake were charged with rioting, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Both were booked into jail on cash bonds of $2,600 each.
19-year-old Nicholas Echols of Davenport was arrested and charged with rioting, disorderly conduct and interference with official acts. He was booked into jail on a $2,600 cash bond.
22-year-old Jacarri Alexander of Winterhaven, Florida was taken by police to the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment after being tasered. He was then arrested and charged with rioting and disorderly conduct. He was booked into jail on a $2,300 cash bond.
18-year-old Ashanti Smith of Sioux City was transported to the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment after being tasered. He was then charged with rioting, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. He was booked into jail on a $2,600 cash bond.
Prosser estimates about 20 or more people would have been arrested if additional officers had been available. He adds they were extremely pleased in that no officers were injured.
Prosser added…quote…”People who engage in this violent flash mob mentality need to understand it won’t be tolerated in Storm Lake and any and all measures needed to stop it will be utilized”…unquote.
Storm Lake police were assisted by the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and paramedics.
