Teens arrested for incidents at high school football games

WATERBURY, CT (WFSB) – Seven young people were arrested for separate incidents that occurred at high school football games in Waterbury and Norwich on Friday night.

Six were arrested over a fight in Waterbury and one over a social media threat in Norwich.

According to Waterbury police, officers were at a game between Derby and Wilby high schools held at Municipal Stadium in Brass City.

They said they saw several teenage bystanders involved in a fight around 8:20 p.m

Those involved included 18-year-old Ginnellys Vazquez, a 17-year-old boy, three 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old.

Officers said they quickly intervened to break it up. Minor injuries were reported.

After they separated everyone, they reported that several bystanders started further fights and defied officers' orders to disperse.

The six teenagers were arrested at that time.

Vazquez was charged with second-degree breach of peace and interfering with police.

A 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with police work and inciting a riot.

Another 15-year-old boy was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace and obstructing police.

A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were charged with second-degree breach of peace and obstructing police.

Waterbury police said the investigation into the fight was continuing Monday.

In Norwich, around 8:50 p.m. Friday, dispatchers said they received a call from the FBI's National Threat Operations Section, Exigent Threat Research and Analysis Crisis Team, about an active threat at Norwich Free Academy.

The agent said he discovered a Snapchat post with a picture of the stands at the football game that actively threatened a shooting.

“Several officers were already assigned to a security unit during the football match and were immediately informed of the threat,” Norwich Police said. “A large-scale response from other Norwich patrol officers ensued and a coordinated effort began with the evacuation of students and spectators from the sporting event.”

With the information provided by the FBI and the assistance of Norwich Police Department school personnel, the suspect responsible for the threat was quickly identified and located.

The suspect's identity has not been released, but the teenager is believed to have attended another public school in Norwich.

The juvenile was arrested and the Norwich superintendent was notified, police said. It was decided to keep the student out of class until the education authority examined the matter.

“All threats are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by the Norwich Police Department and those responsible will be held accountable,” police said.

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