Crime & Safety
2 Fighting At Bar's Closing Time, 1 Assaulting Officer, Are Arrested: Worcester Police
Two men allegedly ignored the officers' commands to stop fighting, and continued to fight.
WORCESTER, MA—Two men are facing charges after police say they kept fighting, one of them hitting an officer.
On Saturday, a Worcester officer was working detail at the Compass Tavern on Harding Street, and around 1:44 a.m., the bar emptied out after closing time. A group of people started fist fighting in the parking lot, said police.
The officer tried to break it up, but one man, later identified as Michael Gabaree, 33, Tanglewood Circle, Rutland, reportedly ignored the officer and continued fighting. The other man, Justin Normandin, 28, Alder Drive, Leominster, also kept swinging.
Normandin, while resisting, took a "fighting stance" toward the officer, and after a brief struggle was arrested for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. A hostile crowd, according to police, began to form around the officer, who called for others to respond.
Gabaree, still on the scene, was yelling and swearing at the officer, and refused to leave. Gabaree reportedly threatened to fight the officer if he made him leave. Gabaree resisted the officer’s efforts to handcuff him by pulling away from him. While pulling away from the officer, Gabaree elbowed the officer in the neck. Mr. Gabaree was now violently resisting the officer’s efforts to handcuff him. During the struggle, the officer noticed that that he was reaching for his waistband.
The officer said he feared he may be reaching for a weapon, and assisting officers tackled Gabaree to the ground. While on the ground officers were then able to handcuff him. Officers found a folding knife in his pocket.
During this incident the unruly crowd grew even larger, said police. Additional officers were called to the scene and eventually dispersed the crowd without further incident.
During the struggle to secure Gabaree the officer injured his knee but remained on duty.
Gabaree was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.
Both men were arraigned Monday at the Worcester County District Courthouse.
