Police have identified a man who they say assaulted officers during a post-wedding-reception brawl caught on tape at a Philadelphia hotel early Sunday morning.
Police said he's Matthew Sofka, 26, of the 500 block of Edgar Road, in Westfield, N.J.
Sofka faces counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and riot, police said.
Cell phone video was shot from a hotel balcony by other guests awoken by the commotion around 2 a.m. The footage shows mayhem in the Society Hill Sheraton's lobby. Several wedding parties were staying at the hotel Saturday night.
Wedding guests say two brothers got into a fight. Something was thrown, and it hit another person. That's when the chaos erupted.
FOX 29's Steve Keeley reported Monday morning that one man is seen on the video failing to calm down, go down or be wrestled down, even after being restrained by several officers. He spent the wedding night in jail.
As all of this was unfolding, an uncle of one bride from Bucks County stumbled outside, suffered a heart attack and died despite attempts to resuscitate him outside the reception and at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
He was identified as Vincent Sannuti. Relatives said it was his 57th birthday.
His niece and her new groom are now reported to be skipping their honeymoon to attend the uncle's funeral.
Several wedding guests ended up in the emergency room after the fight. Three landed in jail, police said.
Investigators did not announce any other charges Monday morning.
"Philadelphia Police Department expects that there will be more arrests in the future (not today)," the police department stated in a news release. "This is an active investigation."
Friday, May 17 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:21:46 GMT
He became an Internet celebrity for his interview after stopping a murder. But now it appears the tables have turned for "Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker."
He became an Internet celebrity for his interview after stopping a murder. But now it appears the tables have turned for "Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker."
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:39 AM EDT2013-05-16 12:39:06 GMT
Investigators say a police-involved shooting occurred early Thursday morning after someone broke into an off-duty officer's shed outside a home in Northeast Philadelphia.
Investigators say a police-involved shooting occurred early Thursday morning after someone broke into an off-duty officer's shed outside a home in Northeast Philadelphia.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:57 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:57:53 GMT
Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell has been sentenced to a third life term for killing an aborted baby that he described as so big it could "walk to the bus."
Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell has been sentenced to a third life term for killing an aborted baby that he described as so big it could "walk to the bus."
Tuesday, May 14 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-05-14 17:18:57 GMT
Authorities now say an early-morning shooting in Burlington County involved a police officer and a man he found in the street, both of whom were wounded.
Authorities now say an early-morning shooting in Burlington County involved a police officer and a man he found in the street, both of whom were wounded.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Matthew Sofka, 26, of the 500 block of Edgar Road, in Westfield N.J. (Courtesy: Philadelphia Police Dept.)
