Val Air Concert-Goer Allegedly Threatens to Kill West Des Moines Police Officer

A Carlisle man who allegedly threatened to kill a West Des Moines police officer and harm his family faces multiple charges after an altercation during Thursday's Wale concert at the Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road.

William Dale Celander, 28, of 5650 S.E. 68th Place, Carlisle, was charged with two counts of assault causing injury and disorderly conduct/fighting/violent behavior after an incident at about 10:15 p.m. Thursday, according to West Des Moines Police reports.

Celander allegedly made threats to Officer Jason Hatcher that “I am going to kill you (expletive). I know where you work and I am going to kill you and (expletive) your wife.” Celander repeated the threats several times, according to the report.

Hatcher and another police officer, Robert Weir, were providing off-duty security for the hip-hop artist Wale’s concert when they assisted private security officers who were trying to break up a fight between Celandar and another individual in the elevated seating area of the bar.

According to the report, Celander was struggling to get away from the security officers, who were employed by MP Security Inc. Officers said Celandar took a swing at one of the guards, striking him in the face below the right eye.

Several other private security officers became involved in the fracas at that point. Authorities allege Celander continued to strike them, injuring another security guard. Both of the guards receiving minor injuries refused medical attention.

Celander was taken to the ground by force by security guards and was placed in handcuffs by the West Des Moines officers. He told police that he did not intend to voluntarily leave the venue and ordered police to carry him out, which they did.

According to the report, Celander “screamed out profanities at everyone around him. … He threatened our lives while in the Val Air Ballroom, and he informed us that he was going to sue us for kicking him out of the Val Air Ballroom.”

Once outside, Hatcher told Celander that he was under arrest, the report said.

Celander yelled profanities at Hatcher, the report said, threatened to sue Hatcher and then said he was going to shoot the officer.

At that point, Hatcher requested backup from Sgt. Tanya Zaglauer, second watch commander.

When Zaglauer arrived, Celander was still on the ground. According to the report, police decided they needed to change Celander’s handcuffs. When Weir attempted to remove them from his wrists, Celander continued to fight and struggle to get free, police said.

Once Celander was restrained, police helped him to his feet and began walking him to the squad car. Celander continued to fight, and officers tried to keep him under control, Calender spun around and fell to the ground. Celander was spitting blood, the report said, but Hatcher said it was unclear if he was spitting blood or mucus at authorities.

Celandar continued to use derogatory language, according to the report, and asked Hatcher where he lived. When Hatcher asked why he wanted to know, Celander allegedly repeated his threats to kill him and harm his family. He also made the same threats against other officers involved in his arrest, according to the report.

Police took Celander directly to the Polk County Jail. He was not listed as being in custody Friday afternoon.