ORLANDO, Fla. — Two Orlando police officers escaped with minor injuries after fighting off a mob outside a downtown night club early Sunday morning.
Video was posted online showing the officers, Reinaldo Rivero and Elizabeth Rodriguez, being attacked outside the Terrace 390 club, located across from the Orange County Courthouse.
In the video, a woman in a yellow dress has Rodriguez by the hair as they struggle on the ground. Rivero was punched in the multiple times while he was being attacked by several men.
On Monday, a police representative said had the officer been able to reach his gun, he would have been within his rights to open fire on the attackers.
“The officer is on the ground, being kicked,” said Sgt. Vince Ogburn. “He's protecting his head, being kicked in the face, the head, the ribs.”
Rodriguez was eventually able to reach her stun gun and shock the woman in the yellow dress.
Police said the fights started when a group of women tried to get back into the club and were turned away by bouncers. They said that's when the women's friends got involved and started assaulting the two officers. The officers had to call for emergency backup during the incident, officials said.
"It was some guy who punched the cop. They wouldn't let the guy come in because it was after hours," said witness Ariel Vittini. "The male cop who got assaulted first, his radio was on the floor, his I.D. on the floor, so I'm not sure how he communicated."
Rodriguez suffered a hand injury and was treated at the scene.
Rivero suffered abrasions and swelling to his head when Angel Maldonado attacked him, according to investigators. Rivero did not need to be transported to a hospital.
Nine people were arrested in connection with the altercations. The nine were identified as Jessie Colon, Damion Echevarria, Domingo Echevarria, Michelle Lavin, Angel Maldonado, Cindy Maldonado, Samantha Maldonado, Ariana Martinez and Idenise Rodriguez.
WFTV was outside the jail when those arrested posted bail and walked outside with their faces covered.
Four of the people were charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. The others were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence.
Terrace 390's general manager, Travis Barr, said the 300 people in attendance was a normal-sized crowd, but he said the attackers outside were not typical customers.
“This is not consistent with our crowd,” said Barr. “We have a nice, upscale restaurant. We have some night events as well.”
Barr, who claims it was the club's first incident since it opened a year and a half ago, plans to increase security at the club.
WFTV
