When War Machine was arrested on Friday in Simi Valley after evading the police for several days, an official statement from the Simi Valley Police Department indicated that the former Bellator MMA fighter was taken into custody “without incident.” I don’t know about you, but to me the use of a Taser indicates there was some sort of incident.
KTLA News reports that authorities used a Taser to subdue War Machine, whose real name is Jon Koppenhaven, and may have thought he was wielding a gun.
“And they were like banging on the door, trying to get it open, and they’re like, ‘Open the door, open the door,” Nicolle Blankenship, a guest who was staying at the same hotel, explained. “Finally when they got it open they yelled, ‘Gun,’ and then all of a sudden you see them shoot him with a Taser. And he got shot with a Taser and he went down to the floor, and then they handcuffed him.”
[GRAPHIC: Christy Mack posts photos injury photos after alleged War Machine attack]
Another guest who was staying at the Extended Stay America in Simi Valley said she called police after she saw a “big dude” yelling at and getting physical with a small woman. War Machine reportedly grabbed the woman by the hair while she was attempting to calm him down.
Given what we already know about War Machine, we would be surprised if he simply put his hands on his head and went quietly. This is the same guy who allegedly beat Christy Mack and the man she was with. He also ran from the police for days while there were seven warrants out for his arrest. A Taser sounds pretty believable to me.
