Family fight attracts police, man arrested

PORTERVILLE

Shortly after midnight Friday morning, Porterville Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence in the northeast of Porterville to investigate a report of a domestic dispute.

When officers arrived at the location, they found Ismael Garcia, 40, and a number of others, family of the initial victim, in a physical fight.

Officers later learned that Garcia allegedly argued with an unidentified female victim, striking her in the back of the head with a closed fist. The victim’s family members intervened in an attempt to restrain him, which lead to the physical altercation, which officers broke up upon arrival.

After doing so, Garcia turned on the officers and allegedly challenged them to a fight.
Garcia was arrested on allegations of spousal battery, felon in possession of ammunition and resisting arrest. He was transported to Sierra View District hospital to be treated for severe intoxication and injuries he received while fighting with the victim’s family members.

He was later transferred into the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, where he was booked on the above charges.