Los Angeles police arrested three Armenians in California, who are allegedly considered as conflict initiators at Venice Pier, NBC Southern California reports. A group of holiday makers engaged in a fight with a lifeguard after a lit cigarette had been negligently flicked into the tower. Video of the night’s confrontation was captured by a witness and posted in the Internet.   

According to the police, Ara Sarkisyan, 28, is one of the guilty persons. He is charged with battery on a lifeguard. But Sarkisyan also received a strong blow to his jaw, as a result of which he was unable to speak and give evidence.

Besides Sarkisyan, the police also arrested two more suspects: Harutiun Balyan, 30, and Arusiak Gekchyan, 28. They were believed to be intoxicated, police said.

The confrontation occurred at about 7:15 p.m. at the Venice Pier in Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Times reports. According to the preliminary information, one of the holiday makers flicked a lit cigarette right into the tower, where the lifeguards were standing. In response, one of the lifeguards poured a bucket of water on one of the attackers.

According to the newspaper, at one point in the video, the lifeguard stands up and exchanges blows with one of the men. A second video shows a woman kicking at the lifeguard’s head when he was trying to get up from the ground. Two other lifeguards finally showed up and broke up the fight, video showed.

George Mgdesyan, Sarkisyan’s attorney, said the new footage shows a different side of the story. He hopes this can free his client from any charges. "...it was presented like my clients were the aggressors and they didn't show the initial part. We never see my client throwing a cigarette butt at this person," said Mgdesyan.

The video of the confrontation is available here.