Cops identify alleged wedding brawler
The one party goer who was arrested and held overnight by police after an all-out brawl at a Society Hill wedding has been identified as Matthew Sofka, 26, of Westfield, N.J.
Cops identify alleged wedding brawler
The one party goer who was arrested and held overnight by police after an all-out brawl at a Society Hill wedding this weekend has been identified as Matthew Sofka, 26, of Westfield, N.J.
On his Facebook page, Sofka says that he likes Bud Light and "The Hangover II." Sofka spent much of his Sunday recovering from his own hangover in a prison cell, according to police.
Sofka was charged with assault on police, inciting a riot and related offenses for his part in a massive melee involving two wedding parties and police early Sunday morning at the Society Hill Sheraton.
Two other men, both in their late 20s, were give summary citations for disorderly conduct. Their names have not been released.
A man reported to be the uncle of the bride died of a heart attack following the fight. It's unclear if he was involved in any of the altercations.
Hotel guests estimated that between 50 and 100 cops showed up to control 50 to 100 party goers from two separate weddings who were fighting each other and amongst themselves for unknown reasons. Police and hotel guests said the fights appeared to be fueled by alcohol.
Max Schultz, 15, of Camp Hill, captured part of the melee on a video he posted to YouTube which, as of this morning, had more than 532,000 views.
In the video, a police officer can be seen hitting Sofka three times with his baton. Sofka was then Tasered off camera, according to police.
It's national news. It's been quite a week for our fair city - cop punches woman, teacher ridicules student, wedding brawl. All self-inflicted wounds.— mportik- Then the cops were drinking also? Story states the violence was alcohol fueled.— manyhats
- Fueled by alcohol? Nah, no way.— tonyS
- Matthew's a good example of the typical immature thug who is slow to grow up but quick to embrace violence. His facebook page should include 110% violent idiot futard thug in the profile section.— Tkat
- @Taxpaying voter - When you are committing a crime and a police officer tells you to stop you have to stop. If you don't they are going to force you to stop. The severity of force will escalate with your resistance. This is not police brutality. It is law enforcement. Analyze the word for more understanding.
There are plenty of examples of police brutality, this video isn't one of them.— bstew74 - In defense of the city... seems that everytime some over-the-top fight breaks out, the puncher is from NJ.
The Cheesesteak Rangers Fan... NJ
The Society Hill wedding Guy... NJ
The Jimmy Buffet Concert murder... NJ
(granted that concert was IN nj, but it gets associated to Philly)
PA people joke about it all the time, but maybe they should start checking IDs at the bridges..— OnTheBandwagon - Typical breeder wedding. Should be illegal.— passavant
- Probably a bunch of Italians from Jersey. Italians are ruining this city.— salparadise
- Actually, you are not that far off... he has plenty of Italian-American friends though - it looks like one big extended family on his FB page. — SoupKan
- don't let the brothers and sisters hear you say that...they might take offense. — cb54
- Hey,if you want to get bombed, go to Philly!! (Wilson Goode/ MOVE reference there...get it?)— 50_buick
- OnTheBandwagon...What about the PA kid those 3 aholes from Fishtown KILLED in the Phillies parking lot?....Go tell his parents that NJ people were to blame....U ahole!!!— mainstreet
- The Usual Suspects...— ClarkU
