June 22, 2008
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

SEVERAL INJURED DURING BRAWL IN PIERSON 

At least four people were injured Saturday night during a brawl in Pierson that included a gun, knife and bottles. None of the injuries were life-threatening. The fight is under investigation by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. 

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Lion’s Club on West 1st Street late Saturday night after someone called 911 at 11:01 p.m. to report that a large crowd was gathering and a fight was expected to break out. When deputies began arriving, they noticed a lot of yelling and screaming from a crowd of approximately 300 people. Just as deputies were exiting their car, they were forced to take cover as a gunshot rang out and the crowd started scrambling. The deputies took a tactical approach as they attempted to locate the source of the gunfire and determine whether anyone was injured. As backup arrived and deputies gained control of the scene, they located four injured men between the ages of 19 and 25. One had a large laceration on his back. Another had a laceration on his upper arm, while another was bleeding heavily after being struck in the back of the head with a bottle. The gunshot apparently was designed to disperse the crowd, and no one was struck by the bullet. 

Two of the victims stuck around and were treated by paramedics with Volusia County Fire Services and EVAC ambulance and then transported by ambulance to Florida Hospital DeLand. The other two victims didn’t hang around, but later showed up at the DeLand hospital seeking medical treatment for their injuries. Others at the scene had less serious injuries, but weren’t cooperative with deputies who tried to interview them to find out what sparked the fight. Deputies interviewed the victims at the hospital, but got conflicting statements and still aren’t certain how the fight started or who brandished the weapons. The investigation into the incident is continuing.