18 Arrested at Latin Festival in Worcester, After Shooting

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Monday, August 22, 2016

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting of an 18-year-old at the Latin Festival in Worcester, additional officers responded to the area to disperse large groups of disorderly youth. Numerous fights began breaking out between these rival groups of youth gangs.

Many of these youths refused numerous commands from officers to disperse and continued fighting with each other as well as confronting officers.

According to Worceste Police that in one individual incident, a Worcester Police officer reported that a 17-year-old punched another juvenile male in the face. The suspect then attempted to flee. Officers gave chase, and the suspect changed direction, running directly at the officers. At this time, they observed the juvenile male suspect was holding a 12 inch long kitchen knife in his hand. Officers instructed him to drop the knife, to which he complied. He then violently resisted arrest and officers had to tackle him to the ground and place him under arrest.

In a separate fight, a 20-year-old Worcester man was struck in the back of the head with a beer bottle, causing a severe laceration to his head. This male was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

In another incident, 3 males began chasing a fourth male in the middle of the street. When the male that was being chased fell to the ground, the other three males began violently assaulting him, kicking him numerous times in the head and body. Police were able to locate all three of these male suspects and place them under arrest.

Officers were eventually able to gain control of the crowd and secure the scene. Officers on scene made approximately 18 arrests on charges ranging from Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Affray, Disorderly Conduct, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, and Resisting Arrest. All individuals arrested were young males ranging in age from 15-21 years old. Several individuals arrested were in possession of large knives during the incident.

The event was described by organizers as: "The Latin American Festival has something for everyone, organized by CENTRO, the festival is a magnificent celebration of diversity and CENTRO invites you and the more than 15,000 people who have come in the past to enjoy a day of FUN, ENTERTAINMENT, CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES and more. This event is FREE and open to the public."