Brawl after Halloween pub crawl in Springfield led to charges for 8 people

Police chief believes officers handled situation appropriately.

November 08, 2011|edited news release

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Police Chief Paul Williams concluded his review of a large disturbance that occurred in front of 220 W. Walnut St. early on Sunday, Oct. 30, just after the downtown Halloween pub crawl was ending. After reviewing eyewitness accounts, police reports, use-of-force reports and arrest reports, he concluded officers acted appropriately and used proper levels of force to make arrests and keep the disturbance from growing.

The disturbance began at 1:20 a.m. when officers were called to a fight. As officers were attempting to detain the fighters, pub patrons surrounded the officers, creating an immediate danger to their safety. As arriving officers were attempting to move people away from the officers making arrests, people began assaulting the officers by shoving and punching.

There were only three uses of force on three people:
1) a baton strike to the thigh of a suspect charging an officer;
2) OC pepper spray on a woman who was shoving an officer; and
3) an electric stun gun (Taser) on someone who was punching and shoving an officer.

Seven people were arrested and cited:
1.      Simon Kazempour: resisting or obstructing a police officer;
2.      Ventrell Collins: resisting or obstructing a police officer;
3.      Brandi Scott: resisting or obstructing a police officer;
4.      Brenisha Scott: assault on a law enforcement officer;
5.      Tiyrus Kellybrew: assault on a law enforcement officer;
6.      Byron Brandon: assault on a law enforcement officer;
7.      Quinton Vann: assault on a law enforcement officer; and
8.      Woman whose identity can't yet be disclosed: summons pending for resisting or obstructing a police officer.

At no time did officers destroy or seize any cameras, nor did any of the suspects require hospitalization. Injuries were minor, consisting of abrasions and an electric stun gun probe to civilians, and an officer with an abrasion/cut hand. Any cellular telephones/cameras that were in the possession of anyone at the time of an arrest were logged into his or her personal property at the jail and were returned upon release.

Chief Williams will investigate any complaints of officer misconduct. As of Tuesday morning, however, there have been no formal complaints made to the Department’s Internal Affairs Unit.

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