14 Arrested, 3 Officers Hurt In Lowell Nightclub Brawl
LOWELL (CBS) - Three police officers were injured and 14 people were arrested during a melee that broke out early Friday morning inside a Lowell nightclub.
Officers say there were about 200 people inside Fortunato's, also known as Club 44, when they witnessed a fight around 1:30 a.m.
The brawl quickly escalated, as people began throwing chairs, tables and beer bottles.
Several people began throwing beer bottles at responding officers attempting to break up the brawl.
Officers from Dracut, Tyngsborough, UMass-Lowell and State Police also responded.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
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Those arrested ranged in age from 18 to 33. Charges include assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct.
One of the people arrested is alleging police brutality.
"They grabbed me, slammed me against the sidewalk, hit me with flashlight," Miguel Fernandez told WBZ-TV's Paul Burton. "They kept kicking me on the floor and slamming my head on the sidewalk. That's why it's police brutality."
The bar where the fight broke out was closed for several alleged code and safety violations.
City officials say over the past few months, they've seen a spike in violence when the bars let out.
In response, they are putting more police officers on the street.
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The following is a list of individuals were arrested:
Miguel Fernandez, age 25, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (beer bottle) Affray, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest.
WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports
Pierre Pierre Clemat, age 21, from Boston, MA. He was charged with Affray.
Nilsson Devasconcelos, age 33, from Andover, MA. He was charged with Affray and Disturbing the Peace.
Jason Sanon, age 20, from Cambridge, MA. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct.
Aser Honore, age 26, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct.
Ccshron Brown, age 23, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Affray.
Carlos Feliz, age 20, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly conduct.
Jovan Siri, age 18, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Affray and Resisting Arrest.
Brousseau Normil, age 19, from Cambridge MA. He was charged with Affray and warrant for possession of class D.
Anthony Decontreras, age 23, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (chair) Affray and Resisting Arrest.
Rolando Fernandes, age 22, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Affray.
Richie Hernandez, age 19, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Disturbing the Peace and Resisting Arrest.
Joshua Saldarriaga, age 21, from Dracut, MA. He was charged with Affray, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.
Cheury Gomez, age 21, from Cambridge, MA. He was charged with Affray and Resisting Arrest.
