A wedding-related party near Washington, Missouri turned into a scene straight out of a viral video on Saturday, with a Waverly man arrested after a sprawling family brawl that relatives reportedly tried to shut down using bear spray. Several people were hurt, and one man now faces multiple assault counts and a resisting arrest charge.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office was called to a venue in the 200 block of Sunset Bluffs Road near Washington, Mo., where a family member reportedly deployed bear spray while the man allegedly assaulted several people, including a photographer, according to KRCG.
Court records identify the suspect as Benjamin J. Reeders, 28, of Waverly. Those records show he was booked into the Franklin County Jail on a $20,000 bond condition and is charged with Third-Degree Assault, Resisting Arrest for a Felony, and Fourth-Degree Assault, per Missouri Case.net.
What deputies say
In a news release, the sheriff's office said Reeders became involved in multiple altercations with family members and guests at the wedding-related event and then kept fighting attempts by officers to take him into custody. Deputies allege he pushed his parent to the ground during the scuffle and that a photographer was injured while trying to document the festivities, according to KRCG.
Charges and next steps
The charges against Reeders are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Docket entries and booking information are listed in the state case portal, and future hearing dates will appear on the Franklin County court calendar, according to Missouri Case.net.
Bear spray showing up in fights
Chemical deterrents meant for wild animals have also cropped up in other recent Missouri incidents, complicating law enforcement responses at crowded festivals and inside stores. Recent examples include a juvenile using bear spray at Lee's Summit's Downtown Days event and a separate Overland store incident that prompted charges, as reported by KCTV and AOL.
Authorities say the investigation into the Franklin County brawl remains active, and more details are expected as additional court filings and official statements are released. This report will be updated as new information becomes available.
