Was the Louisiana pastor’s arrest for hitting his aggressive neighbor warranted? Rick Burgess shares his perspective.

Louisiana Pastor Arrested for Alleged Battery

Last week, a church pastor from Louisiana, Tony Spell, 48, was taken into custody following accusations of battery. He reportedly claimed threats against his family while being recorded on video hitting his 20-year-old neighbor.

While working on a church bus, Spell asserts he overheard his neighbor’s son make aggressive remarks. According to Spell, the neighbor’s son shouted, “Tony, I’m going to rape your wife. I’m going to rape all your grandchildren. … Next time you leave town, I’m going to kill them. And what are you going to do about it?”

Defending his behavior, Spell referred to himself as the “natural protector” of his family, alleging that the neighbor’s family had been harassing and threatening them and church members for years—a claim that the neighbor’s family has denied.

The incident garnered significant attention after the video of the altercation circulated online, sparking discussions around self-defense and the conduct of a pastor.

On a recent episode of “The Rick Burgess Show,” Rick Burgess, an organizer with Blaze TV and a leader in men’s ministry, commented on the situation. He suggested that sometimes fighting is necessary and offered his perspective on the case.

“Solomon mentioned a time for everything, and perhaps this is one of those moments,” he stated. “People can say hurtful things about you, and we usually aim to avoid violence. But when your family’s being threatened… sometimes it becomes unavoidable,” he added.

As he watched the footage of Spell punching the neighbor, Rick admitted, “I shouldn’t enjoy this as much as I do.” He especially appreciated the moment Spell addressed his congregation after his release, claiming he had fulfilled biblical duties by “laying hands on the sick.” Rick found that amusing.

Ultimately, the panel involved in the discussion expressed their support for Spell’s right to protect his family and his church community. “We love his stance,” said Rick. To see more of the discussion and the fight, you can view the episode.