A longstanding feud between two families erupted into a violent confrontation at an Ohio wedding on Aug. 21, leaving guests injured and prompting a response from multiple police departments. Authorities said one man allegedly threatened people with a butter knife while another allegedly violated a temporary protection order. Three men were arrested after the fight spread from the banquet hall into the parking lot.
The incident took place at La Centre Banquet Facility in Westlake, where surveillance, cellphone and police body-camera footage captured the disorder. Officers separated the groups, investigated the cause of the fight and helped allow the wedding celebration to continue.
The case was filed in Rocky River Municipal Court. Police said alcohol was not a factor and attributed the violence to longstanding tensions between the families.
| 1) | Violence breaks out at the wedding venue |
| 2) | Emergency calls describe injuries and chaos |
| 3) | Police respond to a crowded parking lot |
| 4) | Three men face separate criminal allegations |
| 5) | The celebration resumes after officers restore order |
Violence breaks out at the wedding venue
The fight began inside La Centre Banquet Facility in Westlake during a wedding celebration and later moved outside. Video from inside the ballroom showed guests screaming and moving away as men struggled near overturned chairs. Police identified Raed Mahmoud Sulaiman, 46, as the man who appeared to hold a butter knife while several others attempted to restrain him.
The confrontation involved relatives from two families with a history of conflict. Police said the dispute, rather than alcohol, was the apparent cause. The incident created an immediate safety risk for wedding guests and staff as the groups moved between the ballroom, entryway and parking area.
Emergency calls describe injuries and chaos
The venue’s general manager called 911 and reported that people were fighting inside and outside the facility. He told the dispatcher that someone was bleeding and that a man with a head injury was in a bathroom while the disturbance continued.
Another caller reported being attacked and asked police for help. The caller said, “Somebody started beating me.” Paramedics were summoned to treat injured guests while officers worked to control the scene. Authorities initially knew people had been hurt but did not know whether a weapon was involved.
Police respond to a crowded parking lot
An officer arriving by patrol vehicle found a crowded parking lot filled with cars and people dressed for the wedding. As more guests left the building, Westlake police requested additional officers and assistance from neighboring departments.
Body-camera footage showed officers moving through the crowd and trying to keep the groups apart. One guest told an officer that his group had been attacked while dancing, saying, “We were dancing, and four brothers jumped on us.” Investigators then began collecting accounts and reviewing available video to determine how the fight escalated.
Three men face separate criminal allegations
Police arrested Ali Wahdan, 47, Raed Mahmoud Sulaiman, 46, and Abdallah Wahdan, 48. Sulaiman, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, was charged with assault, inducing panic and tampering with evidence. Police alleged that he threatened guests with the butter knife and discarded it as officers arrived.
Ali Wahdan was charged with violating a temporary protection order involving members of the other family. Police said he was required to leave if he encountered those individuals, even if the encounter occurred accidentally, but allegedly remained at the venue. Abdallah Wahdan, of Westlake, was charged with aggravated menacing for allegedly threatening other guests. All allegations are subject to the court process.
The celebration resumes after officers restore order
Once officers separated the groups and brought the situation under control, the wedding continued without another reported disturbance. The response demonstrated how quickly a private family dispute can become a large public-safety incident when a crowded event spills into surrounding areas.
The arrests and charges were filed in Rocky River Municipal Court. Police continued reconstructing the incident through 911 calls, dash-camera recordings, body-camera footage and cellphone video, while the injured guests received medical attention.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The brawl occurred during an Aug. 21 wedding at a Westlake banquet facility. |
| 2 | Guests were injured, including one person reported to have a head injury. |
| 3 | Police said a man allegedly displayed and discarded a butter knife. |
| 4 | Three men were arrested on assault, protection-order and menacing-related allegations. |
Summary
A family dispute turned a Westlake wedding into a multi-agency police response after guests were injured and a man allegedly threatened people with a butter knife. Three men were arrested on separate charges, including assault, inducing panic, tampering with evidence, violating a temporary protection order and aggravated menacing. After officers restored order, the wedding resumed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the wedding brawl occur?
The fight occurred at La Centre Banquet Facility in Westlake, Ohio, during a wedding celebration on Aug. 21.
How many people were arrested?
Three men were arrested: Ali Wahdan, Raed Mahmoud Sulaiman and Abdallah Wahdan.
What did police say started the fight?
Police attributed the confrontation to longstanding tensions between two families and said alcohol was not a factor.
What happened after police arrived?
Officers separated the groups, requested assistance from neighboring departments, arranged medical attention for injured guests and restored order so the wedding could continue.
