WINONA, Minn. — Three Rochester teens, juiced up at Steamboat Days, triggered a street brawl with carnival workers. The brawl grew as onlookers joined in to protect the carnies. A dozen police officers, including back-up sheriff’s deputies, converged to restore order. It ended only after police used a stun gun to tase one of the Rochester teens who belligerently was refusing police orders to back off. This all started about 8:50 p.m. Not until 40 minutes later were police able to clear the scene. The best view of the riotous commotion — and perhaps the safest — was atop a ferris wheel at Second and Center streets. There were injuries, mostly officers with scrapes, bruises and cuts from being punched and kicked. Nobody required serious medical attention. The Rochester teens — two boys, age 17 and 15, and a girl, 14 — were hauled to jail. For sure, they had some explaining to do to their families about their big albeit misbegotten adventure to Winona.
Blow by blow by blow
According onlookers, the disturbance started when the 15-year-old threw a metal chair at a carnival employee. Why wasn’t clear. Carnies rushed to protect their co-worker. The street was crammed with carnival-goers who saw what was happening and rushed in to hold off the teens. A two-officer police foot patrol attempted to gain control but couldn’t. They called for help. A second foot patrol down the street rushed over. Next was a call to every officer on night duty in the city to assist. Then sheriff’s deputies out in the county were summoned. The Rochester teens were charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. Being juveniles, their names were not released.
Friday night on the midway. Fists exchanged as fray escalated. Taser fired by police to make an arrest.