Spartanburg city official involved in bar fight

A Spartanburg city councilman and his son were involved in a racially-charged fight at the Rome nightclub late Thursday night, though it will be left up to prosecutors as to whether the councilman will be charged, according to an incident report.

Robert Reeder Sr., who’s served on city council since 1999, showed up to Rome Nightclub after getting a call from his son, Robert Reeder Jr., who told his father the nightclub was keeping African-Americans out of the club, the report stated.

Reeder Jr. told police he was not let into the club because of what he was wearing, but the club's owner told WSPA that isn't true. Joe Wells, the owner, said Reeder Jr.'s friends were the ones who didn't comply with the dress code, and because of that Reeder Jr. became upset, Wells said.
There are two stories of what went down once Reeder Sr. got to the club, but the one common theme based on statements from witnesses is that there was a fight.



According to Wells, Councilman Reeder approached him, “stated he was part of city council,” and demanded to “know why he [Wells] was not allowing all these black people in the club and that he knew that the club was racist.”
Wells told police that as Reeder Sr. walked into the club, he stated “this is bull****,” and continued to call Wells a racist. Wells, according to the report, told Reeder Sr. he didn’t appreciate being called a racist, at which time Reeder Sr. pushed Wells. The report states security then asked Reeder Sr. to leave, but the report said Reeder Sr. then wrestled and punched the security personnel.
According to witness statements, the councilman’s son, Reeder Jr., joined in the fight, which led, according to the report, to one of the bouncers being cut. Reeder Jr. was arrested and has been charged with 2^nd degree assault and battery. He was released from jail around noon on Friday on a $5,000 bond.
Based on Reeder Sr.’s statements, the fight began a little differently. Reeder Sr. told police that Wells initiated the fight by grabbing him by the throat and yelling he was not a racist. Reeder Sr. said he threw a punch at one of the security officers to get free, at which time his son joined in.
According to video shown to officers, Reeder Sr. initially pushed Wells, though the fight was not captured on tape, the report stated.