By AMBER PATINO
Holmes County Sheriff John Tate held a press conference Monday, August 25, to give an update on the brawl that recently occurred at Lake Cassidy.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday, August 17, and involved a large group of young adults. Video footage from the scene shows an individual being knocked unconscious and repeatedly kicked and stomped before the melee was interrupted by a gunshot.
Sheriff Tate states the altercation was between a group of people from Walton and Holmes counties and another group from Alabama.
Sheriff Tate said there is no evidence at this time that the groups knew each other prior to the night of August 16, when they met at The Wagon Wheel, a bar in Walton County. According to law enforcement officials, individuals from both groups then traveled from the bar to Lake Cassidy where the incident occurred. Investigators concluded the fight was incited by the group of individuals from Alabama.
Sheriff Tate says while there has been speculation the fight was the result of a confrontation over a woman, a clear motive has not yet been established.
No arrests have been made at this time; however, Sheriff Tate announced five warrants have been issued following tips and other assistance from the public. Currently charged are:
- Zachary Windham, 27-year-old white male from Samson, Alabama – Discharging a firearm in public, improper exhibition of a firearm, affray, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and battery.
- Robert Williams, 27-year-old white male from Geneva, Alabama – Affray and battery
- Brian Silas, 23-year-old black male from Samson, Alabama – Attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery, and affray
- La’javis Silas 24-year-old black female from Samson, Alabama- Battery and affray
- Myniko Harrison, 28-year-old black male from Samson, Alabama – Felony battery, affray, and violation of state probation. Harrison was previously arrested in Holmes County in 2023 on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault with a weapon, and battery.
“The investigation is still going on, and we are probably going to have a couple more [individuals] that are going to be charged with at least affray,” said Tate, who went on to clarify that the affray charge is a misdemeanor offense for fighting in public.
When asked if there was anything he would like to say to address the individuals wanted in relation to the case, Tate stated, “Come and turn yourself in, answer to the charges, and come and tell us your side of the story. Don’t make it worse on yourself.”
Sheriff Tate reports the victim who sustained injuries in the case suffered a broken nose and broken ribs but is recovering. While there were gunshots fired, no one was injured by a firearm.
Staff Report 