3 arrested for Shaq performance after fight with officers at Big Chicken in Hartland

HARTLAND, Mich. (FOX 2) – The food at Big Chicken is delicious and sometimes there is dinner and a show. That combo meal Friday included an air pistol in a backpack and two Tasers.

“I mean, what should we do? “Are we going to let this 250-pound guy beat up my deputy for some reason,” said Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy. “That’s not how it works.”

Cell phone video showing officers using Tasers — with limited effect — is just part of that story. People were in a frenzy over chicken and getting a glimpse of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal.

“People got a little irritable because they couldn’t get in, etc.,” Murphy said. “And then Shaq showed up. So that added a little bit.”

Shaq is associated with Big Chicken restaurants and was eating indoors last Friday while feathers were ruffled outside, particularly for 21-year-old William Prieto, who was seen on security cameras.

“The crowd heard some comments that led them to believe that the one man had a handgun in his backpack,” Murphy said.

At some point, officers found what looked like a pellet gun in his pocket.

A Livingston County sheriff's deputy calls for backup and they ask Prieto and his two female companions to leave. He doesn't do it and confronts the accusing MPs.

“Unfortunately, if they had just left, none of this would have happened,” Murphy said.

The officers wanted to remove the three people from the event, but the situation escalated.

“The guy saw what was going on. I'm assuming he thought we held her down or whatever and then went and pulled the deputy over,” Murphy said. “And the rest is history.”

No one was injured in the clash, but it ended with some serious charges against Prieto for carrying a concealed weapon, resisting and being a habitual offender.

The two women who accompanied him, 21-year-old Abigail Strong and her mother, 48-year-old Holly Strong, were each charged with three counts of resisting officers.

“They got their five minutes of YouTube fame,” Murphy said. “I'm just not sure that's what they wanted, especially given the criminal charges.” So there you have it.

The sheriff says two Tasers used by officers had no effect on Prieto and that the officer, who was attached to the clothesline, sustained minor injuries.

William Prieto, left, Abigail Strong, Holly Strong