Madison police responded to a call early Tuesday morning about a scuffle in which pitchforks and knives were drawn to stop vandals from ruining a tent near a fraternity on the 200 block of Lakelawn Plaza near Langdon Street.
Madison police spokesman Mike Hanson said the fight started because residents of ACACIA fraternity spotted vandals attempting to tear down a tent in front of their house. The ACACIA house, 222 Langdon St., is in the vicinity of the area, but no one confirmed it was in fact ACACIA property being vandalized.
Hanson said two members of ACACIA were arrested as a result of their roles in the fight. According to Hanson, UW-Madison junior Jeffrey Schorfheide wielded a machete to confront the vandals and UW-Madison alumnus Justin Baker used a pitchfork as his weapon of choice in the fray.
ACACIA member Phil Kelm declined comment on the issue.
Police said only threats were exchanged and no participants suffered injury. The report said an officer at the scene of the crime heard somebody say, ""I just had a pitchfork pulled on me.""
Still, despite the presence of pitchforks and machetes, officers calmed the violence and broke up the ""posturing"" that had taken place.
The police report said alcohol was a factor in the case. Four men were arrested and received such citations as resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Baker and Schorfheide were arrested along with UW-Madison seniors Matthew Christensen and George Halkias. Police believe all the suspects to be UW-Madison students.
