Dewey Beach officers injured breaking up large fight

Several Dewey Beach officers were hurt early Sunday morning as they tried to break up a crowd of 50 to 60 people, some of whom were aggressive.

What started as a response to a fight in the parking lot at the Ivy Restaurant in Dewey Beach ended with several officers being punched and kicked. Dewey Beach Police say a large crowd of 50 to 60 people gathered and fights started around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

The crowd moved to the North Beach Restaurant parking lot and police say “numerous individuals began to incite a riot,” encouraging onlookers to start fighting the police. Some people watching joined in the fight, knocking some police to the ground, kicking and punching them.

Assistance from Rehoboth Beach Police and Delaware State Police helped bring the situation under control after about 10 minutes. One Dewey Beach officer suffered moderate injuries and three others received minor injuries.

Police arrested five people on charges including resiting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Those arrested were 23-year-old Christopher Harris of Lincoln, 20-year-old Justin Johnson of Milford, 21-year-old Raven Bacon, 18-year-old Gabrielle Knight of Milford, and 22-year-old Latre Bonville of Greenwood. 

This is the second large fight Dewey Police have responded to near the North Beach Restaurant this month.

On June 1, Dewey officers heard gunshots outside the restaurant and found a large disorderly crowd with several people fighting. Backup help from Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Bethany Beach were called in along with the Delaware State Police to break up that incident.