Massive brawl breaks out at wedding party; firefighters among 50 people in drunken fight

A massive fight broke out between a wedding party and four firefighters attending a catering hall function late Saturday night, injuring the groom and responding police officers.

According to NBC4, the clash erupted in the main corridor at East Wind Catering Hall in Wading River on Long Island, NY. The unnamed groom was there celebrating his wedding, and sustained punches from three people. The four firefighters involved work in the nearby town of Hagerman, and were at the venue attending a fire department installation ceremony.

Police received calls around midnight about a drunken brawl entangling as many as 50 people. It is unclear what set off the altercation, or if the participants had any prior association.

Six local law enforcement agencies responded to the fracas.

“Numerous subjects, mainly intoxicated, started pushing, cursing and hitting one another,” Riverhead police said in a public statement.

Four people were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment. The groom had facial and upper body injuries, and two officers received minor hand injuries.

The firefighters were arrested and charged early Sunday.

Thomas Dunham, 55, the Hagerman Fire Department’s first assistant chief, received charges of second-degree obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest after he “went after a [Riverhead police] sergeant” authorities said.

His sons—also firefighters—Andrew Dunham, 29, and Brendan, 21, were hit with various assault and harassment charges. Corey Citarella, 29, a Hagerman FD first lieutenant was also charged with assault.

Each of the four pleaded not guilty at their Riverhead Town Justice Court arraignments Sunday, and are reportedly scheduled to be back in court later this month.

 

[Feature image: East Wind Catering/Google maps]