Fight between 30 people breaks out, suspect knocks out two teens
An 18th birthday party turned into a brawl involving approximately 30 people late Saturday, March 16.
When the dust settled, police took one man to jail, a minor into police custody and medics tended to two knocked-unconscious teens.
It began when a mother threw a drinking party for her daughter in the 17600 block of Northeast Glisan Street, said Lt. Claudio Grandjean, Gresham Police spokesman.
At 11:41 p.m., police responded to a report of a mob of 30 people fighting in the street at Northeast 178th Avenue and Oregon Street. The fight began between Kavonte Jolaray Wells, 19, of Northeast Portland and a 17-year-old boy, who Wells reportedly gave a bloody nose and knocked unconscious.
When other partygoers came to the 17-year-old boy's defense, Wells and his 15-year-old cousin left the party, due to a sudden lack of popularity, Grandjean said, quoting the police report.But the crowd chased the two and the cousin pulled out a knife.
Then a struggle broke out between Wells and another partygoer, who Wells also allegedly knocked unconscious.
When police arrived, the crowd scattered but officers rounded up 15 people and interviewed them.
But none admitted to seeing anything, Grandjean said, adding that everyone involved was intoxicated.
Police arrested Wells on an allegation of misdemeanor second-degree disorderly conduct. He was released on his own recognizance the same day. Officers also recovered the knife and took his cousin into police custody. He was released to his guardians.
Firefighters and paramedics tended to those injured in the melee.
Possible charges also are pending against the mother who hosted the drinking party.