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The incident occurred in New London County around 1 p.m., Saturday, May 11, at Poquonnock Plains Park in Groton.
According to Capt. Gregory McCarthy of the Groton Police, at the time of the incident, the park was the site of several youth sporting events with several hundred spectators in attendance.
McCarthy said an investigation found that two men identified as Massachusetts resident Randall J. Clark, age 43, of Medford in Middlesex County, and Fairfield County resident Dustin A. Hibbert. age 30, of Bridgeport, were involved in a fight on the sidelines of one of the games.
One of the men returned to his vehicle and retrieved what was believed by onlookers to be two firearms, which caused panic throughout the crowd and sent hundreds of players and spectators fleeing from the park in all directions, McCarthy said.
Officers were able to confirm no gunshots were fired at the park, he added.
The two men were located by police, taken into custody, and charged.
Clark was charged with:
- Breach of peace
- Risk of injury to a minor
- Threatening
- Reckless endangerment
- Carrying a firearm with intent to display
- Carrying a gun without a permit
He was released on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.
Hibbert was charged with breach of peace and risk of injury to a minor. He was released on a $2,500 bond.
The firearms observed by witnesses were searched for by K9 teams, multiple officers, and Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department personnel but were not located, McCarthy said.
This case remains under investigation.
The Groton Police Department asks anyone with information regarding this incident or other criminal activity to call 860-441-6712.
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