Fights erupt among hundreds at rodeo in Anoka Co.; 5 hurt, 2 await charges

Fighting erupted among hundreds of people at an informal rodeo Saturday night in Anoka County, leaving five people hurt and two awaiting charges, authorities said.

The commotion unfolded just a bit off Interstate 35W on a piece of rural property along Main Street, according to Lino Lakes police.

The scuffling broke out around 8:15 p.m. or so during the large party, police said. That's when people there scattered, police added. Law enforcement from several agencies assisted with crowd control and directing vehicles off the property after sunset.

There were "30-plus people fighting," one officer on the scene reported to dispatch, according to scanner traffic posted by www.mnpoliceclips.com. The officer said there were "multiple groups fighting."

As some among the hundreds of people on the property were trying to leave amid the police response, one officer said he saw "cars smashing into each other."

Sgt. Chad Schirmers, among the members of law enforcement on the scene, said the activity "was set back aways, so they saw us coming. Quite a few wanted to leave."

Paramedics treated five people for minor injuries, according to police.

"Bands got loud, it was wild and some fights broke out," said Tony Caron, who also rents a home on the land to different tenants. "We've had discussions about the level that he's taken things to. It's expanded and grown into something that's not suitable."

Caron said the rodeo organizer has "gone to the city to get permission to do these things." He believes the tenant may have been charging admission, "and that's not where it's supposed to be … from a hobby into more," Caron added.

A man was arrested on suspicion of assault, and the rodeo organizer also was taken in to custody for "facilitating the unlawful assembly," a statement from police read.

In explaining what made the gathering unlawful, Schirmers cited state statute and noted that participants were disorderly and a threat to the public peace.

"There were upward of 400 people at this event with no security and no order, really, when it comes to parking, announcements," Schirmers said. "This had the potential to be much, much worse."

As for the rodeo itself, some in attendance were on horseback "roping calves or cattle" in an oval corral, while others were pleasure riding, Schirmers said.

An officer said he spoke with the organizer as the gathering was breaking up. The officer reported that "he said it's just a party, not a rodeo."

The host was taken into custody, questioned and released, Schirmers said.

"Charges are pending," the sergeant said. "He's cooperating with us."

Another man, 46 years old and from Brooklyn Park, remains in custody on suspicion of interference with a police officer, a gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor assault, Schirmers said.

The sergeant added, "I know it's happened in the past, and they've been told not to do that stuff."