Michigan police Taser newlyweds during wedding reception
Michigan police ended a wedding party after they Tasered the bride and groom and took them to jail. The couple face assault, disorderly conduct and other charges.
Gallery owner Judi Burnison rented her place to the newlywed couple Andy and Ania Somora, but she called the police after the wedding party become unruly with broken glasses and spilled drinks.
According to a news release from the Chikaming Township (Mich.) Police Department, Officer Jeff Enders responded Saturday to the Burnison Art Gallery in Lakeside, Michigan.
Enders appeared to have told the wedding guests to leave, but it made the guests more angry. Enders called backup, and 14 law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene to clear the crowd.
Most of the guests left peacefully but others, including the new couple, swore at the police for disturbing the party
One eyewitness Kacpar Skowron, a professional photographer from Chicago and a friend of Ania Somora, said the police overreacted and ruined a perfectly good wedding.
When Ania’s father tried to defuse the situation by talking to the police, Enders arrested him instead, which lead to further disturbance.
Skowron told
Durango Herald: "My perspective is that the main officer (Enders) handling it was cool at first, but then he started threatening that everybody would be arrested. But trying to kick the party out at 11:20 (p.m.) on a wedding night when we had a contract to be there? He was a big jerk."
Andy and Ania got more upset with the police and the police Tasered Andy twice and Ania once and arrested them both.
Burnison declined to comment Wednesday and said her lawyer will answer the questions.
The charges against the couple and few others include assault and battery, disorderly conduct, resisting and obstruction of police officers, and damage to property.