A verbal argument over the cost of a beach wedding turned physical on Saturday, May 16, resulting in the arrest of a Florida man.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an assault around 2:31 p.m. at Toronita Park. According to a police report, a 65-year-old wedding officiant was loading equipment into his car after a ceremony when 35-year-old William Wells approached him to ask about pricing for beach wedding services.
The officiant quoted Wells a price of $500. Authorities state that Wells became angry with the price, started acting erratically, yelled at the officiant, and called him rude. When Wells noticed the officiant was recording the interaction, he allegedly swatted at the man’s cellphone before striking him.
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“At that point, (Wells) struck (the victim) in the stomach causing (the victim) to temporarily lose his breath,” deputies noted in the report.
Wells then fled the scene in a blue Kia registered to a woman from South Daytona. Officers from the South Daytona Police Department later located Wells at his home. He was arrested and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail.
Wells has been charged with felony battery on a person 65 years or older. Deputies noted that Wells has multiple prior battery convictions, alongside past felonies for fleeing, eluding, and narcotics offenses.
The officiant declined medical treatment at the scene and told deputies he wants to press charges. According to law enforcement, Wells admitted to arguing with the officiant and swatting at his phone, but he denied punching the man in the stomach.
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