A couple in Florida has been arrested after they got into a fight with 20 other people while playing pickleball, police confirmed.
Authorities in Volusia County said that they arrested Anthony Sapienza and Julianne Sapienza after they allegedly got into a fight with others at the Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange, Florida, on Sunday, February 8, according to ClickOnOrlando.
According to police, the Sapienzas’ allegedly physically assaulted the team they were playing pickleball against.
Anthony, 63, has been charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm and two counts of battery on a person 65 or older, according to the outlet. Meanwhile, Julianne, 51, has been charged with battery on a person 65 or older.
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Both Anthony and Julianne have since been released on bond. It’s not currently clear if either person has entered a plea or retained legal representation following their arrests.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the incident.
Deputies were dispatched to the country club around 11 a.m. on February 8 in response to a report of “a physical fight in progress on the pickleball court” that involved “over 20 individuals,” according to the arrest affidavit viewed by People.
The fire and rescue teams also reported to the scene after there were reports of injuries.
As the Sapienzas played against the other team, the game became “heated” and Anthony accused the opposing players of stepping into the “kitchen.” The term refers to a 7-foot by 20-foot restricted area on the court that is intended to prevent aggressive behavior and net smashing.
The players then allegedly began to exchange verbal insults. When the other couple started to walk away, Anthony allegedly yelled after them, “Your wife is a c**t,” per the affidavit.
The other man allegedly responded by telling Anthony to not speak to his wife that way. “Anthony then approached him and punched him on the left side of the face and struck him with a pickleball paddle, causing significant bleeding,” the affidavit claimed.
When first responders reported to the scene, they noticed the victim sustained a laceration above his left eye. He was then transported to the hospital for treatment.
In addition to punching his opponent, Anthony has been accused of “forcefully” pushing the victim’s wife to the ground when she allegedly tried to help her husband.
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A third individual reportedly got involved when he claimed to have tried to break up the fight. Anthony allegedly punched the third person in the face, which caused “his nose to bleed profusely.”
The individual — who is 70 years old — told police he wanted to press charges against the couple for the attack.
Anthony and Julianne have been accused of fleeing the scene before they could be arrested, according to the affidavit. However, authorities were able to track them down and arrest them.
Following the arrest, Assistant State Attorney Danielle Fields claimed that Anthony “intentionally” caused bodily harm to the victim by using the pickleball paddle as a deadly weapon, according to the charging documents viewed by People.
The couple is expected to attend a hearing regarding the case on March 3.
