Teenager Shot at Illegal Fight Club in New York
Chaos unfolded at an unauthorized “fight club” in New York, leading to a teenager’s death and the arrest of 13 individuals, according to police reports.
Officers from the Suffolk County Police Department responded to a call about potential gunfire around 6 PM Sunday, at the Brookhaven Aquatic Center in Shirley on Long Island.
Upon arrival, police discovered a significant brawl involving participants of an underground fighting event.
Reports suggest that during the fight, a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old sustained injuries, but thankfully, they were not life-threatening. They were hurried to a local hospital for treatment.
Chief William Doherty of Suffolk County Police explained that while a firearm was brandished during the altercation, it was meant to fire blanks, which, however, were discharged too close to people, causing injuries.
Police accused 25-year-old Devine Brown from Mastic Beach of being involved in an additional attack associated with the fight club. He has since been taken into custody.
The remaining suspects, aged between 16 and 23, also face various charges linked to the unlawful event. Those arrested include:
- Evsia Williams, 23, of Mastic
- Devin Black, 20, of Mastic Beach
- Tariq Nix, 20, of Mastic
- Alejandro Hightower, 20, of Holbrook
- A 19-year-old from Shirley
- Honest Thompson, 19, of Middle Island
- Jason Alvarez, 18, of Riverhead
- Henry Thompson, 18, of Moriches
- Lorenzo White, 18, of Shirley
- Kyron Deer, 18, of Coram
- Thomas Zuziera, 18, of Mastic
- A 16-year-old boy, unnamed due to his age
Dan Panico, the town supervisor of Brookhaven, expressed his concern and indicated a desire for stricter laws to penalize those involved in such activities. “It’s essential to set an example,” he remarked, emphasizing the negative impact on their communities.
Meanwhile, investigations into the rogue fight club incident continue. Authorities are calling on anyone with information to reach out to the police.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a fight club has come to light in Suffolk County. Just last month, roughly 70 individuals participated in a similar illegal gathering at Walt Whitman Park in Melville, which was organized through social media. Two people consequently faced charges.
The notion of “fight clubs” isn’t a new concept, having been popularized by the 1996 novel and its subsequent film adaptation featuring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. Both works share themes of rebellion and chaos, but in real life, the consequences are all too serious.
