PROVIDENCE – Eight people were arrested after a fight broke out between two groups of men inside Providence County District Court on Tuesday, authorities said.
In an email, Anthony Vega, a City Hall spokesman, wrote that an altercation took place outside a courtroom within the courthouse.
“Despite initial efforts to de-escalate the situation by a Providence police officer at the scene, a physical fight broke out,” Vega wrote on Thursday. “The Rhode Island State Sheriffs promptly handled the incident, responded immediately and apprehended all involved individuals without further incident.”
Samara Pinto, another city spokesperson, said “the fight appeared to have started because one group became upset when the other group looked at them as they were walking by.”
According to Rhode Island State Police, eight men were each charged at 2 p.m. Tuesday with disorderly conduct and simple assault, including:
- Brian Royer, 20, of Providence
- Jael Baez Fernandez, 20, of Providence
- Geremy Tavaraz, 23, of Providence
- Leonardo Brito, 22, of Pawtucket
- Pedro Dejesus, 39, of Providence
- Nelson Forkpa, 18, of Providence
- Randy Espinal, 19, of Providence
- Luis Dejesus, 19, of Providence
Arrest records show all men have been arraigned. All were released, except for Fernandez, Forkpa, Espinal, and Luis Dejesus, who were held as bail violators. Pedro Dejesus was held as a probation violator.
State Police and the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs did not immediately return requests for more information on Thursday morning.
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