Lynn license board: Lynnway brawl not alley’s fault

LYNN – A Thanksgiving brawl at the Lynnway Sports Center won’t put a damper on Christmas festivities since employees did everything right.The License Commissioners accepted a police report regarding the incident during its meeting Tuesday but Chairman Patricia Barton said despite the melee that took place there would be no hearing.”They did everything right,” she said. “There was an incident but they followed the rules.”Two people were arrested early Thanksgiving morning after causing a disturbance that resulted in three people getting punched in the face, including a police officer twice.Takeya Shanta Faison, 26, of 355 Pawtucket Boulevard in Lowell, and Michael Wilhelmsen, 21, of 25 Clinton St., Lynn, were arrested Nov. 22 and arraigned on Nov. 27 in Lynn District Court. Faison was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Wilhelmsen was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, car keys, assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.According to the police report filed by officer Gregory Brotherton, he and officer Michael Tortorise arrived at the Lynnway bowling alley and bar just after midnight as part of their normal patrol. Brotherton wrote that the place was busy so they stationed themselves near the door to monitor the bar area and were there when two employees tried to escort an unwanted guest, Faison, out of the bar.Faison had reportedly reached over the bar and opened all the beer taps, causing beer to run all over the bar.The report went on to state that a doorman, George Gomatos, tried to get Faison to leave and she threatened him. Then her brother, Wilhelmsen, jumped in and things got out of hand. Brotherton wrote that Tortorise stepped in to remove Faison and Wilhelmsen tried to pull the officer off away from his sister.”At this point there were approximately 10 people in the 8-foot square lobby and the situation became a melee,” he wrote. “I notified dispatch and requested several cars to assist.”Once outside the bar, Wilhelmsen punched a patron in the face with his keys protruding from his fist, and cut the man under his right eye and right cheek, Brotherton said. Wilhelmsen then punched Gomatos and, as Tortorise attempted to place him into custody, Wilhelmsen whipped around and punched Tortorise under the left eye.”Mr. Wilhelmsen then took up in a bladed stance with his fists up ready to continue the fight,” Brotherton wrote.Police ended up spraying Wilhelmsen and later Faison with pepper spray. While police were grappling with Wilhelmsen, Faison’s unidentified uncle tried to hustle her into a car and leave, Brotherton said. At the same time nearly 75 patrons had gathered in the parking lot to watch as police struggled to get Faison into custody. She “violently resisted” their efforts, shouted obscenities and then punched Tortorise, also just under his left eye.Brotherton stated that once in handcuffs the officers had to carry Faison to the car because she refused to walk and later physically remove her from the cruiser when she refused to get out.Both Faison and Wilhelmsen were released on personal recognizance and are due back in court on Jan. 15 for a pretrial hearing.Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].