SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — Organizers of the Southington Apple Harvest Festival are increasing security in the wake of a large fight Saturday night that left one teenager hospitalized with a stab wound in the abdomen.
In a press release, the festival organizers say police will have an increased presence for the remainder of the festival. "The Police Department has officers at the festival to route traffic around the festival, assist pedestrians at intersections near the festival, and provide security at access points. The Police Department has officers on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and vehicles patrolling areas in and around the festival."
The disturbing incident did not seem to deter anyone from attending on Sunday. The popular festival, which began over 50 years ago, takes place on two consecutive October weekends, closing off downtown streets to accommodate tens of thousands of visitors. The festival will return next weekend.
Police responded to a "large fight" at the festival around 8:20 p.m. Saturday. A 16-year-old was transported to an area hospital where he underwent surgery for a stab wound to his lower left abdomen, and is in stable condition according to police. Investigators say the disturbance was on Main Street in front of Town Hall, in the area near the American Medical Response (AMR) medical tent, allowing for a quick response from AMR EMT’s working at the event.
Police say witnesses helped them quickly identify people involved in the fight. They took a 17-year-old Southington resident into custody who was suspected to be involved in the incident, charged them with Breach of Peace 2nd and released.
"We obviously were able to obtain some video. So we know the general people that were involved," said Southington Police Lt. Keith Egan. "But after the disturbance happened in the group scattered we were able to make an arrest of 17-year-old that we know is involved in the altercation."
One Bristol family just missed the melee.
"We see a lot of large crowds developing. And we had a couple of kids with us so we decided it’s time to head out, said Suzanne Dall'Aste. She and her family left the festival about 20 minutes before the stabbing occurred.
"And then as soon as we got home my mom texted me from South Carolina and says 'are you OK?' and I said 'what do you mean?' She said 'There was a stabbing at the Southington festival.'
Officers were able to recover evidence, including the folding knife believed to have been used in the assault. Police say several witnesses have come forward to provide information, and police are seeking additional witnesses. "It is expected additional arrests will be made," police said.
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