Assault At Waterpark Leads To Altercation With Officers
Two Lake County Sheriff’s Department Deputies were working security at Deep River Waterpark on Wednesday, July, 20, 2022 when two visitors to the park reportedly assaulted park employees, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
A witness on scene told RNS the guests were asked to leave the waterpark area as an event for the Special Olympics was being held for the evening but two of the guests refused. A larger portion of their group exited the park but two stayed in and where a verbal argument turned physical. This is when police intervened and tried to detain the subjects.
“A large group of people attempted to attack our officers as they were lawfully arresting the two individuals,” Martinez said. “A mob-like situation developed with civilians assaulting our officers physically and with bodily fluid; forcing officers to call for backup,” Martinez told RNS. These actions resulted in multiple arrests. Multiple agencies responded including Merrillville, Hobart, Lake County, Indiana State Police, and Porter County.
“Videos shared on social media are segments which do not depict the full context of everything that occurred,”Martinez added.
“This incident placed the public at risk of serious injury and showed a lack of respect for our officers; who were doing their jobs. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department will not hesitate to take appropriate law enforcement action against anyone who puts the lives of citizens or police officers at risk,” Martinez added.
Deep River Waterpark told RNS that there were no injuries to staff members and the event for The Special Olympics was a success. The park reopened after the incident at 5:20 PM.
The Sheriff’s Department has not received any official complaint against the officers. As part of their policy they are reviewing all aspects of the incident.
The following subjects were arrested and charged with the following –
Walden, Christopher (52)
-Five (5) active warrants
-Battery on LEO Level 6
-Resisting Law Enforcement
-Disorderly (2 counts) -Trespassing
-Criminal Mischief
-Provocation
Skarlet Cooper (38)
-Battery on LEO Level 6 (2 counts) -Intimidation on LEO Level 6 (2 counts)
-Neglect of Dependent Level 6 (2 counts)
-Resisting LEO (2 counts)
-Obstruction of Justice
-Disorderly (2 counts)
-Trespassing
-Public Intoxication
Torrey Allen (20)
-Attempt to Disarm LEO Level 5 Felony
-Battery on LEO Level 6 (2 counts)
-Intimidation on LEO Level 6
-Battery on a Juvenile Level 6
-Resisting LEO (2 counts)
-Criminal Mischief
-Disorderly Conduct (2 counts)
-Battery -Provocation
Jermani Keys (20)
-Battery on LEO Level 6 (2 counts)
-Battery on Juvenile Level 6
-Resisting LEO (2 counts)
-Disorderly (2 counts)
-Battery -Provocation
Two juveniles were also charged with the following:
Juvenile 1:
-Resisting LEO Lvl I
-Resisting LEO
-Assisting a Criminal -Disorderly
-NO DL issued
-Provocation
Juvenile 2:
-Battery by Bodily Waste (3 counts)
-Battery on LEO (2 counts)
-Battery
-RLE (2 counts)
