Cranston police have arrested several people in connection with a fight that happened at a local carnival.
According to police, the fight broke out on May 28 at Mulligan’s Island Golf and Entertainment Center on New London Avenue.
Police said the individuals involved in the fight left the area before officers arrived, but a 16-year-old girl was found bleeding from a large laceration to the head. She was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment.
During an investigation of the incident, police identified Wilson Rivera, 18, of Newport as the person who struck the minor with a weapon that was believed to be brass knuckles.
An arrest warrant was issued for Rivera on charges of felony assault, possession of a weapon other than a firearm and disorderly conduct. He was arrested Friday morning and arraigned in Warwick. Police said he was presented as a probation violator and was ordered held without bail at the ACI.
During the investigation, detectives were able to obtain copies of two videos of the fight that went viral on social media. After interviewing several witnesses and reviewing the videos, police arrested two additional adults and five minors in connection with the fight.
Tayla Barreira, 18, of Coventry, and Patrick Perkins, 19, of West Warwick were both charged with disorderly conduct.
According to police, the fight involved two groups of people from West Warwick and Coventry who were engaged in an ongoing feud. After crossing paths at the carnival, the fight broke out.
“The behavior I saw on the videos that captured this incident was deplorable and can only be described as barbaric,” Col. Michael Winquist of the Cranston Police Department said.
“This carnival has been held in our city in the past and is known as a family event, enjoyed by many. It is unfortunate that these individuals acted in a manner that jeopardized the safety of all of those in attendance.
Such conduct will not be tolerated in Cranston and will lead to arrest. I commend those citizens who assisted our detectives with this investigation, so that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”
The investigation is ongoing and police expect to make more arrests.
