A longstanding conflict between two families erupted at a wedding in Ohio, resulting in a large brawl, multiple injuries, and the arrest of three men. The incident occurred at La Centre Banquet Facility in Westlake on August 21 and involved police from several departments.
Ali Wahdan, 47, Raed Mahmoud Sulaiman, 46, and Abdallah Wahdan, 48, were taken into custody following the fight. Sulaiman, from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, faced charges of assault, inducing panic, and tampering with evidence after he allegedly threatened guests with a butter knife before discarding it as authorities arrived.
Ali Wahdan was accused of violating a temporary protection order, while Abdallah Wahdan, from Westlake, received aggravated menacing charges for reportedly threatening guests. Surveillance footage captured the altercation outside La Centre Banquet Facility in Westlake, highlighting the tensions between the families during the celebration.
Fox News Digital accessed 911 calls, body camera footage, and other videos revealing how the fight began inside the banquet hall and extended into the parking lot. The general manager of the venue described the chaotic scene to a 911 operator, noting a head injury and significant fighting both inside and outside.
Police were called to the scene, and dashcam footage showed officers arriving to find a busy parking lot filled with guests in formal wear. As the situation escalated, Westlake police requested additional support from local departments. Officers worked to separate groups while paramedics attended to the injured guests.
“We were dancing, and four brothers jumped on us,” a guest reported to police.
Cellphone videos from inside the ballroom showed guests reacting to the disturbance. One man, identified as Sulaiman, was seen with a butter knife as several individuals attempted to restrain him.
Police Captain Jerry Vogel explained to FOX 8 that the responding officers understood injuries had occurred but initially could not confirm if weapons were involved. The investigation revealed that longstanding family animosity was the root cause of the confrontation, not alcohol.
Ali Wahdan was previously bound by a temporary protection order involving another family present at the wedding. Despite the legal requirement to leave upon encountering these individuals, Wahdan allegedly remained, contributing to the conflict.
Once peace was restored, the wedding continued without further incidents. The charges against the involved men were filed in Rocky River Municipal Court.
Reporter Greg Wehner tracks developments in U.S. news and crime for Fox News Digital, focusing on major public safety issues impacting communities.
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