Charges filed in Montrose Beach fight that injured 2 officers

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Charges have been filed against two suburban men who allegedly struck police officers with bottles while the officers were breaking up a fight at Montrose Beach. According to the Chicago Police Department, Efrain Saucedo, 23, and Emmanuel Lopez, 19, both of Aurora, have been charged with one count of aggravated battery to a police officer. Police say both men were observed throwing bottles that struck officers.

Charges have also been filed against three more men, including a 19-year-old from Summit and a 22-year-old from Aurora, both of whom have been charged with aggravated assault to a Police Officer and misdemeanor mob action. A 17-year-old from Chicago was also arrested for misdemeanor mob action and felony criminal damage to property. A total of nine men were taken into custody.

Efrian Saucedo, 23, (left) and Emmanuel Lopez, 19, (right) of Aurora have been charged with one count each of aggravated battery after a fight at a Montrose Beach party.

City crews spent the morning picking up the mountains of trash left behind on the beach, the only remnants of the chaos that broke out during an unauthorized concert. Two police officers were injured while breaking up the fight, struck by beer bottles that were intentionally thrown in their direction. Police responded to the fight in the 4400-block of North Simonds Drive where as many as 50 people were reportedly involved in the massive fight near the harbor, but police have not confirmed that number.

"They responded on the results of some people bringing to their attention there was a fight going on, and the fight erupted into a melee," said Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

Attendees say word of the concert had spread through social media.

"It was a complete riot," says Jasmine Mejia, who posted her recording of the fight on YouTube. "Cops were walking by, lots of people intoxicated obviously. They were going crazy. They were saying random things, throwing things at them. It all went chaotic from there."

Additional police were dispatched to break up the party, but things had already gotten out of hand. Police scanner audio showed the party turned into a gigantic brawl just after 7:30 p.m.

Officer: "It's a melee out here. It's a donnybrook, man."

Dispatcher: "Large crowd, some with guns, throwing bottles at the police, damaging police cars."

Officer: "We have an officer that got hit with a bottle. He's bleeding. We're over here by the park on the other side closer to the beach."

In the end, the crowds were dispersed and nine people were arrested. But Park District officials today said that ultimately the organizers of this unauthorized concert are the ones who must be held accountable.

"We're going to quantify the damages we have out there," said Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael Kelly. "And any fines that the police have that we can levy. We're going to track these guys down."

ABC7 Chicago reached out to the concert promoters, listed on an online flyer. So far only their photography service has responded, saying this is an annual event that was attended by far more people than in the past. They also said they were shocked and disappointed by the actions of those who attended.