Members of Wedding Party Arrested After Altercation with Police in Newport
An incident involving a wedding party and local law enforcement recently unfolded in Newport, Rhode Island. The brawl occurred outside the Landing Restaurant, a popular dockside seafood eatery and bar, when one individual from the group was denied entry.
On that fateful Sunday, after being refused entry, the person, identified as David Onik, not only refused to leave but also got physical by shoving an employee. He even attempted to throw a punch before being restrained by the restaurant’s security staff.
Police were summoned to the scene, where the situation escalated further. David Onik’s wife, Rachael Onik, intervened and became uncooperative with the officers.
Confrontation Escalates
While police attempted to separate Rachael Onik from the situation, she tripped and fell backward. As officers tried to manage the scene, they found themselves surrounded by people who ignored instructions to stand back.
Video footage from the incident captured a scuffle between several officers and members of the wedding party as they struggled to regain control. One woman, later identified as Alexandra Flaherty, allegedly kicked an officer in the groin, prompting police to respond to subdue her.
In the ensuing chaos, another man, Robert Nash, struck an officer in the face.
Arrests and Charges
As officers attempted to handcuff Nash, one of the suspects reportedly tried to grab an officer’s firearm. In response, the officer threw a punch, inadvertently hitting Rachael Onik in the jaw. She briefly lost consciousness and was later arrested after receiving medical treatment for injuries to her jaw, head, and elbow.
A total of six individuals faced charges following the incident. Nash and Flaherty were charged with assaulting police officers, simple assault or battery, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct. Olivia Costello faced similar charges, while Rachael Onik faced two counts of simple assault or battery. David Onik was charged with disorderly conduct, and Kylie Swain was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Five of the six defendants appeared in court, with the Onik couple entering not-guilty pleas. They were each granted bail set at $1,000. Flaherty and Nash did not enter pleas, as their cases were being moved to a superior court, also with a $1,000 bail. Olivia Costello pleaded not guilty, with the same bail amount, while Swain had not yet appeared in court.
This altercation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining order and civility in public spaces, even during joyous occasions like weddings.