WEST HAVEN, Conn. — The city of West Haven declared an emergency after a large gathering at a beach Monday night led to a dozen arrests, two injured officers, and a shooting.
Public parks and beaches were closed from sunset to sunrise until further notice.
Police said a social media post found on the "Ring" app brought mostly teens and young adults to the beach for what was supposed to be a party around 3 p.m.
Groups started gathering near Oak Street Beach, comprising an estimated 2,000 people, police said.
West Haven Police Chief Joseph Perno said that an officer was assaulted during one of several fights that took place.
The officer is currently recovering from minor injuries, and the suspect was arrested, according to Perno.
In the middle of the chaos at the beach, police got a call to head to Campbell Avenue and Blohm Street for a shooting at a gas station.
Raj, a nearby store owner who heard the shooting along with his employees, said, "I was inside doing some paperwork, and I heard like shots."
Perno said a bullet hit a nearby car and missed the occupants, including a mom and her children.
Another passing car was also hit by gunfire, leaving the driver with a small cut on his face, likely from glass or bullet fragments.
Shortly after, police said they spotted the suspect's car, containing seven individuals and a handgun, and arrested everyone inside.
Another officer was injured during the arrests, according to police.
The night ended with a total of 12 arrests, as businesses by the beach had to shut down early. Police have not said whether the two incidents are connected, but that they happened at the same time.
City leaders are now sending a strong message to anyone involved.
West Haven Mayor Dorina Borer said, "We will not be tolerating this activity or this behavior in our city from out-of-town residents or from our own residents."
The city is taking several steps to stop this from happening again, including having an added police presence along the shoreline, setting up a command post, and collaborating with the state's Department of Transportation to create an alert system to warn people about potential large gatherings.
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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