Police are investigating an incident during which a large gathering of youths turned violent early Friday.
Authorities say that a group of approximately 50 to 60 "young people
were congregating at a wooded area" adjacent to a parking lot in Southeast when the fight began.
"Shortly after 1 a.m. today, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of an assault occurring at a Route 22 business parking lot," Donald B. Smith said in a release Friday afternoon. "Sgt. Timothy Gannon, along with Deputies Frederick Mark, Vincent Dalo and Randal Hill, responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, they located a teenager bleeding from his head — a victim of an apparent assault."
Two teens were hurt. Members of the Ambulance transported the first, a 17-year-old boy, to . He was reportedly admitted in critical condition.
"[He] suffered head injuries caused by several blows to his head from what is
believed to be a wrench and a baseball bat," authorities said.
The second, an 18-year-old boy, was released at the same hospital after being treated contusions and "substanial pain from being repeatedly punched in the face with a closed fist and being struck with a blunt object, believed to be a baseball bat," police said. He was reportedly transported by private vehicle.
Investigators John Alfano and Robert Tichy were also on the scene, in addition to the sergeant and deputies who responded.
"Criminal investigators continue to conduct interviews of witnesses," police said. In the release, they made no mention of charges filed. "Investigators from the Identification and Forensics Unit have processed the crime scene, sketching the area and searching for evidence."
Officials say they have contacted the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office has been advised of the incident while the probe continues.
