Brian Lanza: Police charge second man in Society Hill Sheraton wedding brawl (UPDATE)

Police have charged a second man in connection with the brawl between two wedding parties caught on camera at the Society Hill Sheraton last Sunday, after which one of the bride’s uncles died of a heart attack.

Brian Lanza, 29, of Westfield, N.J., turned himself into the Central Detective Division yesterday. Investigators said there was an active warrant for his arrest. He was one of the wedding guests originally arrested and released with a disorderly conduct citation after the fight in the early morning hours of Oct. 7.

Police said further investigation revealed that Lanza assaulted an officer in the hotel’s bar area during the melee. He is now charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment, failure to disperse upon order and resisting arrest. The District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn the initial disorderly conduct offense, but filed a new disorderly conduct for engaging in fighting charge today.

Lanza was arraigned shortly after 1:30 p.m. today and freed after partially posting $25,000 unsecured bail. He is next due in court Oct. 25 for a preliminary hearing.

Investigators estimated that the alcohol-fueled brawl grew to involve 75 to 100 people. Bride Nicole Sannuti’s uncle, 57-year-old Vincent Sannuti of Huntingdon Valley, died of a heart attack after stepping outside the hotel following the fight, which went viral after a 15-year-old Pennsylvania boy filmed it on his cell phone and posted it to YouTube.

Police last Tuesday charged another Westfield man, 26-year-old Matthew Sofka, with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment for his alleged involvement in the fight. He reportedly plans to dispute the charges.

More

VIDEO: Guest suffers fatal heart attack following wedding brawl at Society Hill Sheraton

Police ID N.J. man Tasered, charged in Society Hill Sheraton wedding brawl

Matthew Sofka: Suspect in Society Hill Sheraton wedding brawl freed on $25k bail