Three people were charged following a fight at a high school graduation on June 26, according to a statement from the Utica Police Department.
At around 6:30 p.m. Utica police officers, working in conjunction with Utica City School District security staff, were alerted to a fight following the graduation ceremony outside of the Adirondack Bank Center.
Security staff immediately intervened and attempted to physically detain the primary combatants, however the altercation continued. As aggressors and staff were on the ground, other parties in the crowd begin to kick and strike them repeatedly, according to the statement.
Utica police officers were able to detain one party, and other officers attempted to break up the fights. As their efforts were unsuccessful initially, an officer had to deploy his pepper spray at the parties fighting.
Officers then attempted to take another male into custody, and while doing so a third party got in between the officers and began to drag the male away, wrapping his arms around him in an effort to prevent the individual’s arrest, police said.
Officers then advised the intervening party that he too was under arrest, and ultimately were able to take both males into custody.
All three men were transported to the Utica Police Department.
The unnamed 18-year-old and unnamed 19-year-old were both charged with disorderly conduct, while Justin Phillips, 44, of Utica, was charged with obstructing governmental administration.
“The investigation is on-going to identify other individuals involved in the altercation, and if warranted additional charges will be filed,” Utica police officials said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Fight breaks out after high school graduation in Utica
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
