Left: William Wells (Volusia County Jail). Right: Toronita Park in Port Orange, Florida, where Wells allegedly assaulted a wedding officiant (Volusia County).
In a bizarre turn of events at a Florida beachside wedding, a man allegedly attacked a 69-year-old officiant over a dispute concerning the ceremony’s cost, authorities reported.
William Wells, aged 35, now faces charges of battery against a person aged 65 or older. The incident occurred at Toronita Park in Port Orange, where the officiant and his assistant were in the midst of packing up their equipment following the wedding ceremony on a Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., as detailed in an arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime.
According to police, Wells approached the pair and questioned the wedding’s cost, expressing anger and asserting that the ceremony should have cost only $500. He accused the officiant of being “rude” and proceeded to hurl insults. The situation escalated when the officiant attempted to dial 911 on his cellphone, prompting Wells to swat at him.
One of Wells’s swats reportedly struck the officiant in the stomach, leaving him momentarily breathless. The affidavit further alleges that Wells threatened to summon “his boys,” claiming they would arrive before law enforcement and “get him.”
Following the heated exchange, Wells departed the scene in a blue Kia, continuing his tirade of yelling and cursing at the victim. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies later identified the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.
After being read his Miranda rights, Wells admitted to the verbal altercation but denied any physical assault, as per the complaint. He expressed that his frustration stemmed from the officiant recording him and his vehicle. The deputies noted that they had to instruct Wells to “calm down” due to his agitated state during the confrontation.
The affidavit did not specify how Wells was associated with the wedding.
Cops noted that the defendant had been arrested and convicted multiple times for other assaults. He also was arrested for fleeing and eluding, along with drug-related charges, according to cops.
Wells was arrested and taken to the Volusia County Jail, where he has since posted a $5,000 bond. He has a court date set for June 16.
