After reports of an early morning brawl at the Waffle House at 6137 Highway 278 in Covington on Sunday, Covington Police Department (CPD) Officer Matt Holbrook arrived to find several people scattered about and covered in blood.  

Holbrook reported seeing several people running out of the breakfast restaurant when he arrived around 2:20 a.m. Dec. 11. He went inside and found three men fighting, according to the CPD incident report.

After pulling the first of the three men, identified as Jamarcus Brown,  from the fight, Holbrook noticed the other two were “covered in blood,” according to the report.

Holbrook reported that one of the suspects, identified as Mark Franklin, had the other suspect, identified as Antonio Russell, in a head lock.

“After several attempts to get the males separated, I deployed my issued Taser into the back of Mr. Franklin,” Holbrook reported.

Franklin released Russell and two EMS units were dispatched to the scene. Both of the men had several cuts on their face and were described as “very bloody.”

Witnesses reportedly told the officer Franklin came into Waffle House intoxicated and loud.

“Mr. Franklin also slapped one of the waitress (sic) on the rear-end,” Holbrook reported. “Mr. Franklin approached the booth that Mr. Russell was sitting in and started rubbing his beard.”

According to witness statements in the report, Franklin threw the first punch. Holbrook reviewed security camera footage of the incident and confirmed the order of events.

Russell and Franklin were arrested for aggravated battery and criminal trespass. Holbrook reported that warrants will be taken out for Brown as well. Both Russell and Franklin were transported to Piedmont Newton Medical Center by EMS for medical treatment.