By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City police released the identity of the man charged with punching Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” TV personality Bob Kelly in the face during an apparent TikTok challenge stunt.
Patrick Iannone, 21, of Sea Isle, was charged with aggravated assault, an attempt to cause significant bodily injury, according to a brief police department news release Thursday. Iannone was released on a summons after being charged.
No other information about Iannone or the incident was immediately released other than a brief mention that the police department’s detective division continues to investigate the case.
Kelly said he was punched in the face by a man who was filming himself pouring beer on the “Good Day Philadelphia” reporter and traffic anchor during a party Sunday evening, July 30, at the Oar House Pub in Sea Isle.
“I’m OK. I’m here. It was a frightening, disturbing event that apparently was incited by this TikTok challenge similar to what you saw happen to Cardi B with the water and being videoed,” Kelly said during an appearance on “Good Day Philadelphia” on Tuesday.
“The cause of the assault is under investigation. I’m just going to leave it at that. But I hope this can bring some light to this craziness that is out there and put a stop to it,” he added.
Kelly was referring to an incident at a Cardi B concert on July 29 in Las Vegas, where water was tossed on her while she was on stage and she angrily hurled her microphone into the audience in response.
Kelly was assaulted at the Oar House when he attempted to swat away the beer being poured on him, according to media reports.
He was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House for treatment, but did not suffer any serious injuries.
Kelly had a noticeably swollen left eye during his appearance on “Good Day Philadelphia” to talk about the incident. He thanked his fans for their messages of support and assured them that he is all right.
Kelly regularly hosts a happy hour dance party at the Oar House on Wednesdays and also emceed a “Sunday Funday” party at the bar and restaurant over the weekend.
He stepped in as host of the Wednesday night dance parties following the death in January of Philadelphia radio personality and music promoter Jerry Blavat, who had been a fixture at the Oar House for three years.
Oar House owner Jimmy Bennett and Kelly have collaborated for fundraising events at the bar and restaurant to benefit “Kelly’s Kidz, a nonprofit charity that supports St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
“Bob is a great guy. He does a great job for Kelly’s Kidz and all the work that he does is for Kelly’s Kidz,” Bennett said.
Kelly founded Kelly’s Kidz to collect toys, pajamas and donations to benefit children in pediatric hospitals. He started the nonprofit when his son, Austin, was an infant and had to be hospitalized after having an allergic reaction to baby formula.
“You know, he’s a man who’s out there always doing charity work, and for something like this to happen to him is kind of discouraging. We are hopeful that everything will turn out fine,” Bennett said of Kelly fully recovering from the assault.
