Louisiana Pastor Arrested After Video Shows Street Fight With Neighbor
A Louisiana pastor is facing a battery charge after a confrontation with a young man who lives across from his church turned physical, and video of the clash quickly spread online.
Pastor Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree battery after an encounter with a 20-year-old neighbor. According to reports, the argument started while Spell was in the front yard working on a church bus. The pastor says the young man threatened his family.
Spell later told congregants the situation was tied to threats against his wife and grandchildren. From the pulpit, he said, “In my name, they shall lay hands on the sick. And they shall recover. So today, I fulfilled the scripture. I laid hands on the sick. I don’t know how much recovery they’re going to have, but I laid hands on the sick,”
He also repeated the alleged threats in church, saying the neighbor told him, “I’m going to rape your wife. I’m going to rape your children, and the next time you’re out of town, I’m going to kill them. Now what are you going to do about it?”
Church members also said the neighbor had been yelling insults and using racial slurs. Police sources, however, told WAFB that Spell’s claims and complaints have not been fully investigated. Those sources said police have only received one incident report involving Spell’s family and the neighbors.
After bonding out, Spell went straight back to his church and spoke about the arrest during his first service after being released from East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He referred to the confrontation as “domestic terrorism.”
Video reportedly shows Spell approaching the 20-year-old, taking him to the ground, and punching him repeatedly. The pastor also threw the man’s phone into the street. The young man was later taken to the hospital and received stitches on his chin.
The case is now drawing attention for both the alleged threats and the violent response that followed. Police have not said the matter is fully resolved, and the arrest leaves Spell dealing with a criminal charge while the dispute with his neighbor remains under review.