A domestic dispute involving a University of Alabama student escalated into a wider legal situation after video of the confrontation circulated online and drew the attention of law enforcement.
Ryan Jeffery DellaFranco, 20, was arrested after allegedly assaulting his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend during what authorities described as a “domestic dispute” on Sunday in Tuscaloosa, per Fox News.
According to the Tuscaloosa Police Department, the incident unfolded at two separate residences in the city.
Officers did not make an immediate arrest at the scene, but DellaFranco was later charged with third-degree domestic violence/assault.
He eventually turned himself in to the police and was released after posting a $500 bond.
The case took an unexpected turn before that surrender, when the victim’s father allegedly became involved. A police spokesperson said the man went to DellaFranco’s home and “made threats to harm him.”
The father, identified as a veteran detective with the Nassau County Police Department, was later arrested and charged with harassment. He was also released on a $500 bond.
Authorities have not released further details about what led to the initial alleged assault between DellaFranco and his ex-girlfriend.
Officials also declined to identify the father publicly, citing the need to protect the identity of the victim.
The incident has drawn attention beyond law enforcement due to its viral spread online, though officials have not commented on the social media activity surrounding the case.
Separately, DellaFranco’s affiliation with a fraternity has also changed in the aftermath of the arrest.
A spokesperson for Theta Chi confirmed that he is no longer a member of the organization.
“Mr. DellaFranco is no longer a member of Theta Chi, and the International Fraternity is unaware of any connection between the charges against Mr. DellaFranco and any Theta Chi activity,” the spokesperson said.
“The Fraternity urges anyone with information on these allegations to cooperate with law enforcement,” the statement added.
Both cases remain under investigation as authorities continue to sort out the sequence of events that led from a domestic dispute to multiple arrests involving members of two families.
