A Louisiana pastor is facing battery charges after allegedly attacking his neighbor’s 20-year-old son during a heated confrontation that reportedly began with threats against the pastor’s wife.

Tony Spell, pastor of Life Tabernacle Church, was arrested Tuesday following the altercation, according to WBRZ. Spell told authorities he had a “duty and obligation” to protect his family after the neighbor allegedly hurled expletives and threatened to rape and kill his wife.

The brawl reportedly spilled out across from the church. Video footage circulating online appears to show the physical confrontation unfolding in a grassy area near the property.

Spell has been a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in Louisiana, known for his outspoken views and legal battles over religious freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest incident has drawn significant local attention, with supporters and critics weighing in on the pastor’s actions in defense of his family.

The neighbor’s son was reportedly involved in the dispute, though full details of the alleged threats and the sequence of events remain under investigation by authorities. Spell was booked on battery charges.

The case continues to develop as both sides provide their accounts of the confrontation.