Eight juveniles and an 18-year-old were arrested on Monday afternoon after numerous school students gathered in Branford for what police described as a “planned fight” which led to multiple officers suffering injuries as they worked to disperse the crowd.
Officers responded to the Dunkin’ at 207 E. Main St. around 2:30 p.m. on the report of a fight and found that about 70 students were gathered in the parking lot and inside the business, according to the Branford Police Department.
Police said several active fights were going on outside the donut shop involving high school girls. The first officer on the scene began separating the girls involved in one of the fights, as several students began to flee, according to police.
The donut shop is less than ¼ mile away from Branford High School, according to Google Maps.
Additional officers who arrived began dispersing the remaining students, some of whom allegedly refused to leave and “continued to cause disruption,” police said. As officers escorted a large crowd outside the business, several juvenile males allegedly began challenging and fighting officers, according to police.
A struggle in the vestibule area involving two juveniles and multiple officers led to an officer being pushed into the front window, which caused it to shatter with glass that “flew everywhere,” police said. The juveniles allegedly continued to fight with police, kicking and refusing to comply, according to police.
During the struggle, an officer deployed a Taser on a juvenile, but it was not effective. That juvenile was eventually taken into custody. Police said the department policy dictated he be taken to an area hospital because of the Taser. He was later released.
According to police, a total of nine people were arrested during the brawl. The eight juveniles face charges ranging from assault, breach of peace, threatening, interfering with police, criminal mischief and assault on a police officer.
Police said four of the individuals arrested were released at the scene to their parents. The other five were taken into custody and later released to their parents.
Among those arrested included 18-year-old Jayde Gary of Branford who was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace.
According to police, two juveniles who were taken into custody allegedly continued acting aggressively while being processed, spitting at cameras in their cell and damaging a holding cell bench. One of them was taken to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation.
“We understand multiple videos of the incident are surfacing online regarding this incident,” police wrote in a statement. “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,” police said.
“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.”
Police said they are still investigating and anticipate making additional arrests as videos continue to surface.
“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,” police said.
