Worcester police arrest around 18 during Latin Festival
Approximately 18 young men were arrested Saturday during the Latin Festival in Worcester after fights broke out between rival youth gangs, Worcester police said in a statement. All those arrested were between 15 and 21, and several people arrested were in possession of large knives, according to police.Officers working at the festival were monitoring large groups of rival gangs forming nearby. Police said they dispersed several disorderly groups that began taunting each other, apparently trying to start fights.Around 6:30 p.m., officers heard gunshots in the area of Main and Chatham streets and found an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to the statement. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.Additionals officers then arrived on scene to disperse the large groups but several fights broke out, police said. Many individuals reportedly refused several orders from officers to disperse and continued fighting and confronting officers.In a separate incident, an officer saw a 17-year-old male teen allegedly punch another male teen in the face. The suspect tried to run away, and officers chased him. Police said the suspect then began running at the officers, with a 12-inch-long kitchen knife in his hand. Officers ordered him to drop the knife, which he did, and then they arrested the teen while he violently resisted, according to police.In another fight, a 20-year-old Worcester man was hit in the back of the head with a beer bottle, suffering a severe cut, police said. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.Police also said three men ran after a fourth man in the street. When the chased man fell, the other three allegedly violently assaulted him, kicking him multiple times. Police said they located and arrested all three suspects.Police were able to control the crowd after some time. Officers made arrests on charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, affray, disorderly conduct, possession of a dangerous weapon, and resisting arrest, according to police.
The shooting is still under investigation.
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