BARSTOW, Calif. - A groom in Barstow plans to file a lawsuit against the city and the police department after a violent brawl broke out following his wedding after officers responded to a noise complaint.The tort claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, filed by the groom, Robert Kerns, seeks $2 million in damages claiming "excessive force" by police.
According to the claim, at least seven victims suffered physical and emotional injuries following the Jan. 17 wedding "because of the unjustified excessive force used by Barstow Police Department officers."According to TMZ, a number of the guests were trained MMA fighters and two were allegedly wrestling outside the Quality Inn Hotel in Barstow when police arrived.
However, according to the complaint, the wrestling, or "horseplay," had stopped before the officers got there. Kerns' attorney said that security guards asked the wedding party to keep the noise level down after a few other guests complained, but as employees were speaking with people from the Kerns wedding party, officers arrived and "began yelling and using profanity at those present."Get your top stories delivered daily!
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