ELLENVILLE – A Cinco de Mayo celebration at an Ellenville bar spilled into the street with multiple fights that required several police departments to respond and break things up. Ellenville Police Chief Phillip Mattracion said that no arrests have been made as of yet but the investigation is ongoing.
Ellenville police responded to Gaby’s Cafe on Canal Street at 10:00 p.m. on May 5th after receiving reports of several fights involving patrons celebrating Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire in the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862.
First-arriving officers immediately called for additional units while reporting multiple skirmishes taking place in the large crowd. Officers from Ellenville were backed up by State Police, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and the Shawangunk Police Department.
After spending several minutes breaking up the fights, another large-scale brawl erupted, requiring police to deploy Oleoresin Capsicum spray (OC Spray), made up of oily resins from Cayenne and other hot peppers, to disperse the combatants.
Three subjects were injured in the multiple fights, including two with stab wounds. One victim was stabbed in the face and one suffered a knife wound to the hand. The third subject’s injuries were minor and he refused medical attention.
It took police a total of 90 minutes to completely gain control of the situation. The victim with the facial wounds was transported to the hospital where he required several stitches for his facial wound and was slated to undergo surgery for a possible broken jaw.
“The Ellenville Police Department is currently investigating the incident,” Chief Mattracion said, adding “As a result of this investigation charges are pending, and arrests are expected against those who are involved.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Ellenville Police at 845-647-4422.
