Long Island ‘fight club’ busted when gunfire breaks out — leading to 13 arrests
A shocking incident unfolded at a Long Island swim center on Sunday night when a “fight club” was disrupted by gunfire, resulting in the arrest of 13 individuals, according to authorities.
Suffolk County police were alerted to a shooting near the Brookhaven Aquatic Center in Shirley at approximately 6 p.m. and promptly intervened to dismantle the unauthorized underground fighting ring, as reported by Newsday.
During a scuffle, one of the participants brandished a gun and discharged blank rounds, causing injuries to two individuals aged 17 and 19, who were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The majority of those apprehended were in the 16 to 20 age range. Devine Brown, 25, from Mastic Beach, was among the suspects and was charged with assault, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, and participating in an unlawful assembly. He was detained overnight and is set to appear in court on Monday.
In a related incident, Suffolk County police had recently disbanded another fight club in the area. In June, three individuals were arrested after law enforcement officials interrupted an illegal afternoon brawl at Walt Whitman Park in Melville, which had been promoted on social media and attracted about 70 attendees, mostly in their early 20s.
The concept of clandestine organized fights gained notoriety through Chuck Palahniuk’s 1996 novel “Fight Club,” inspired by his own involvement in such activities. The book was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film of the same name in 1999, starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt.
This recent episode underscores the dangers and legal consequences associated with participating in illicit fight clubs, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law and avoiding engaging in such activities.
