A group of shirtless brawlers became embroiled in a chaotic ‘riot’ at a Florida lake’s boating dock, prompting the local sheriff to issue a warning to ‘lock y’all up.’
The group of partygoing pugilists was recorded launching into a ruthless brawl on the shorelines of Lake Winterset in Polk County on August 2.
This event, according to local authorities, marked the culmination of continuous issues with trespassing and reckless actions that this quiet community has faced throughout the summer.
The altercation reportedly occurred before serene families by the lakeside, resulting in two participants of the melee being knocked out.
One individual was seen floating facedown in the lake as a small child watched in shock, as shown in the video shared on social media on August 10.
Obscenity-ridden music blared as the men started shoving and chasing after each other with onlookers screaming in terror.
After one man was punched into unconsciousness, a bikini-clad woman was observed rushing from the water, seemingly attempting chest compressions.
A few moments later, a second man was standing in shallow water when someone sucker punched him and he lost his footing.
The group of revelers engaged in the brawl was captured on video at Lake Winterset’s shorelines in Polk County on August 2.
County Sheriff Grady Judd said seven men and a 17-year-old boy were arrested in connection to the unruly incident
The people arrested for the weekend incident are Mason Land, 23; Payton Ely, 19; Timothy ‘Owen’ Gooding, 21; Gavin Gooding, 17; Richard Carden, 40; Garrett Ore, 22; Garrett Hiltabidel, 21; and Nate Land, 21
As he floated in the lake, the person throwing the punches did not let up until the man on the receiving end blacked out.
Police say they were called to the scene around 3pm and by the time they arrived, all those involved had scattered.
They did make note of the two people left unconscious and the several children looking on.
County Sheriff Grady Judd said seven men and a 17-year-old boy were arrested in connection to the unruly incident.
In a stern message issued at a Tuesday press conference, the no-nonsense sheriff vowed to make sure visitors know they must behave by the lake.
‘You can knucklebust and create brain injuries to each other on your own property without creating a disturbance to your neighbors,’ Judd said.
‘The conduct is reprehensible and, obviously, you don’t believe us when we try to warn you.
‘So you have unleashed the teeth of the dog, and now we’re going to start biting you, just like we bit these guys here.’
He also said he would ‘lock y’all up until you figure out you can’t misbehave in the community.’
The people arrested for the weekend incident are Mason Land, 23; Payton Ely, 19; Timothy ‘Owen’ Gooding, 21; Gavin Gooding, 17; Richard Carden, 40; Garrett Ore, 22; Garrett Hiltabidel, 21; and Nate Land, 21.
The fighting allegedly took place in front of peaceful families on the lakeside
Families and children looked on in horror as the chaos broke loose
Everyone was charged with trespassing, affray, disorderly conduct and rioting, while Gooding faces the additional charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Judd continued to tear into the alleged culprits: ‘If you have three brain cells, you can read the “no trespassing sign.”‘
He described groups of rowdy teens and young adults trespassing on the property as an ‘ongoing’ issue that he is determined to tackle now more than ever after the August 2 incident.
‘We tried to be friendly, we tried to couch, we tried to counsel,’ Judd calmly explained, adding that the most reckless behavior occurs in an area called ‘The Point.’
He rattled off examples of feral behavior exhibited by some of the area’s violators.
Judd claimed someone defecated on someone’s yard – and it was caught on tape.
He also held up photos during the press conference, which appear to depict people having public sex.
‘This conduct is happening in the middle of the afternoon, in people’s backyards, where they are trespassing,’ Judd asserted.
He also held up photos during the press conference, which appear to depict people having public sex
‘We’re over it.’
Judd said that from this point forward, Marine Patrol officers will be probing the area to crack down on crime and indecent behavior.
‘We’re going to put people in jail this weekend for conduct we previously tried to warn you about.’
