Around 2:30p.m. yesterday, a fight was reported in the parking lot of 207 East Main Street. When officers arrived, it was apparent that there was a planned fight – approximately seventy students were gathered in both the parking lot as well as inside the Dunkin Donuts store.
As additional officers were arriving, there were several active fights outside involving juvenile high school females. The first officer to arrive separated one of the fights involving two females as additional students began to flee the area. Officers attempted to disperse all students from the property.
As officers were requesting students to disperse, several juveniles were refusing to leave and continued to cause disruption. Officers began escorting the large crowd outside the business and several juvenile males began challenging and fighting officers. A struggle ensued in the vestibule area between two juveniles and officers. During the altercation, an officer was pushed into the front window of the vestibule, smashing it, and glass flew everywhere. The juveniles continued to fight with officers, kicking and refusing to comply with officer’s attempts to secure him.
During the struggle, an officer deployed a taser to gain compliance, which was unsuccessful. That juvenile was eventually taken into custody and per department policy, he was treated at a local hospital for the taser deployment and later released. In total, nine individuals were arrested for fighting, which consisted of Breach of Peace, Assault 3rd, Criminal Mischief, Interfering with Officers and Asssault on Police Officers. Of the nine, four juveniles were released on scene to their parents. Five juveniles were taken into custody for processing and later released to their parents.
While in police custody awaiting processing, two juveniles continued to be aggressive, spitting at the cell cameras and caused damage to a holding cell bench. One of the juveniles was sent to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. Several Branford Police Officers sustained injuries during this incident.
We understand multiple videos of the incident are surfacing online regarding this incident. We remind the public that these videos do not show the full incident and do not depict the actions which led to the arrest of the individuals, and in some circumstances, the threats made to responding officers. Due to state statutes regarding release of records depicting juveniles, we cannot release body worn camera footage.
The Branford Police Department does not condone violence or threats of violence, especially on or around school grounds. Police are working in conjunction with our partners at Branford Schools.
The following were issued Juvenile Summons’ and released from police custody to a parent/guardian:
• Juvenile 1 was charged with violating CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd, CGS 53a-167c Assault on Police Officer, and CGS 53a-167a Interfering with Police.
• Juvenile 2 was charged with violating CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd.
• Juvenile 3 was charged with violating CGS 53a-61 Assault 3rd and CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd.
• Juvenile 4 was charged with violating CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd and CGS 53a-167a Interfering with Police.
• Juvenile 5 was charged with violating CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd and CGS 53a-167a Interfering with Police.
• Juvenile 6 was charged with violating CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd, CGS 53a-167a Interfering with Police and CGS 53a-62(a)(1) Threatening 2nd.
• Juvenile 7 was charged with violating CGS 53a-115 Criminal Mischief 1st, CGS 53a-181, Breach of Peace 2nd, CGS 53a-167a, Interfering with Police and CGS 53a-62(a)(1) Threatening 2nd.
• In addition, Jayde Gary (18) of Branford was charged with violating CGS 53a-181 Breach of Peace 2nd and CGS 53a-61 Assault 3rd.
There are no threats to the public as this was an isolated incident, however this investigation is still active.
As videos continue to surface, more arrests are pending. We appreciate the cooperation with the Branford Schools and we would like to thank the staff of Dunkin Donuts for their cooperation during this incident.