Four people were arrested following a large brawl at East Wind in Wading River that erupted early this morning between guests at a wedding and guests at a fire department installation dinner.
Riverhead Town Police said they responded to the catering hall after receiving numerous calls about a large fight involving approximately 40 to 50 people.
The fight had erupted in the main foyer between a wedding party and Hagerman Fire Department guests, police said. Numerous subjects, mainly intoxicated, started pushing, cursing, and hitting one another, according to the police report.
Suffolk County Police, State Police, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and NYS Parks Police responded to help quell the incident, Riverhead police said.
At least four people were injured in the melee and transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment. The groom of the wedding party sustained injuries to his face and upper body after being struck with fists by three different subjects, police said. According to reports, two police officers sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Riverhead police said four people were arrested in the incident:
Andrew Dunham, 29, of East Patchogue, on charges of assault in the third degree, harassment in the second degree and resisting arrest;
Brendan Dunham, 21, of East Patchogue, on a charge of assault in the third degree;
Corey Citarella, 29 of East Patchogue, on a charge of assault in the third degree; and
Thomas Dunham, 55, of East Patchogue, on charges of or obstructing governmental administration in the second degree and resisting arrest.
The elder Dunham is the first assistant chief of the Hagerman Fire Department and Corey Citarella is the department’s first lieutenant, according to the department’s website. The Hagerman Fire District is located just east of East Patchogue.
Wading River Fire Department Rescue, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Ridge Fire Department Rescue responded to the scene to treat and transport to the hospital people who were injured in the incident.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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