‘Big brawl’ breaks out near Everett, WA restaurant, leads to hit-and-run
Everett brawl leads to hit-and-run
A fight in Everett led to a huge brawl, injuring several people and escalating into a hit-and-run outside a restaurant.
EVERETT, Wash. - Police say a fight near a North Everett restaurant was the start of an event that left multiple people injured after a driver in a stolen car struck people while speeding away.
It happened at around 2:00 am on Sunday near 23rd Street and Broadway.
"There was a big brawl going on," said a witness who didn't want us to use their name. "Just a mass of people, all different corners, people up against vehicles, people throwing fists."
The witness said he was driving by the El Muchacho Alegre II restaurant and bar after going on a late-night fast food run nearby. That's when he saw a massive fight in the back parking area.
Stolen vehicle hits pedestrians near restaurant
What they're saying:
"Behind the restaurant is where it all happened. It was dead center from their back end entrance," said the witness. "It was like two groups of people going at it."
He said after he saw the chaos, he called 911.
"There was people getting held against vehicles, people whaling fists," said the witness.
Everett Police say that at some point during that fight, a man stole a customer's car out of a parking lot and sped away, hitting several people on the way out.
The suspect was then accused of colliding with a car about a block away, according to police, and running away from the vehicle.
We talked to an employee of El Muchacho Alegre II, who said he was in charge, but didn't know about the incident. He instead said that he thought something happened with a car a couple blocks away.
El Muchacho Alegre exterior in Everett, Washington. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Dig deeper:
"Who knows, there could have been some tension going on," said Tracy Thompson, a local resident.
Thompson did not see the fight, but says, given the times, he feels people are easily set off.
"It’s kind of scary to hear they just got in a car randomly and drove off while hitting somebody,"said Tracy Thompson, a local resident.
Another neighbor says police are always patrolling the area.
"That whole half a block of Broadway gets watched all the time," said Ron Hansen, who has lived in the neighborhood for around 10 years.
Four hospitalized, police track suspect
Local perspective:
Everett Police say they used a canine to try to track the driver, but he wasn't found. Meantime, four people were taken to the hospital, some with significant injuries.
"A lot of stupid activity and people can do better," said the witness.
Detectives with the Everett Police Traffic Safety Unit responded and are investigating.
Ongoing police investigation
What you can do:
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Everett Police Department TIP LINE at (425) 257-8450.
One witness said they heard two gunshots in the area around the time of the fight, but it's unclear if that's related. We have reached out to Everett Police to try to get more information on that.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
1 dead, 1 injured after drive-by shooting at South Seattle nightclub
Seattle Weather: Clear and chilly Monday morning
Tiger that killed man at wildlife park will not be euthanized, officials say
Longtime Seattle restaurant Pam's Caribbean Kitchen closing Nov. 29
12 killed, over 300 hurt in attack at Saudi airport, officials say
Trump says Russia, Ukraine agree to immediate ‘energy ceasefire’ amid tensions with Zelenskyy
Seattle Kraken surge late to top Capitals in 5-3 victory
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Jennifer Dowling.