Brawl breaks out near Douglass Park

COLUMBIA — A fight involving at least 40 people — and possibly as many as 200 — broke out around 9:30 p.m. Thursday near Douglass Park, Columbia police said. Several Columbia residents called in to the police department and described a dangerous group, including some people waving guns.

Sgt. Brian Richenberger of the Columbia Police Department said the reported location of the fight was the intersection of Seventh Street and Park Avenue. Richenberger was unsure of injuries but said one arrest was made. The name of the person arrested was not available this afternoon.

One caller described the fight as “chaos all over,” Richenberger said. Another described the group as including as many as 200 people.

Yet another caller said he saw a man with a gun at Fifth and Ash streets, while another caller reported a physical disturbance at Fifth Street and Park Avenue.

Several officers were dispatched in response to the calls. When officers arrived, the people scattered, Richenberger said.

“Large disturbances in that area are not out of the ordinary,” he said.