Bullets fly, cars collide on west side

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Neighbors describe it as an "all-out brawl" on Buffalo's west side.

Just after 6:30 p.m. at Herkimer and Lafayette, at least four people were injured in what witnesses describe as a ten against ten fight. One man was beaten in the head with a crowbar, two cars were smashed, and a bullet went through one of the car's windshield.

MORE | See photos from the crime scene, where a large gathering of onlookers stand, watching as police converge on a home

Amanda DiBartolomeo said, "You couldn't really tell who was fighting who; it was just brutal."

"You know they were arguing in Spanish and fighting and bikes were flying and we saw a crowbar come out and we heard the gun go off," Rosanne Dasaro described.

Police say the fight started when a group of men ranging in age from 23- to 55-years-old began striking a car with pipes, hammers and other objects. The four men inside the car exited and that's when the fight began. A car with Georgia license plates ended up with a bullet hole through the windshield.

"And he tried to flee the scene and backed up and came flying down Herkimer and smashed right into my grandma's car, and then took off and went back down Lafayette. The people started running all different directions," DiBartolomeo recounted.

Police ended up having to go to individual houses to find who was in the brawl and determine who was hurt.

DiBartolomeo said, "A guy was over there slumped; they were beating him with a crowbar."

Dasaro added, "Bleeding from his head and everything, so somebody gave him a towel and wiped him off and he was concerned about his son because I guess they went after his son, too."

On top of the man beaten, a 23-year-old was stabbed. Neighbors don't know why it turned so quickly from young adults on bikes to an all out brawl.

"I think it's ridiculous. I think people should learn to behave," DiBartolomeo said. "It's horrible. You can't even be outside on your own street because you got to be worried about what's going to happen."

Ward Scardino recalled, "Back in the day, we'd have a fight, it's over, go for coffee. No weapons, use your hands, get it over with and it's done."

"Now, you look at somebody the wrong way and they pull out a tire iron."

Police are still sorting out the details from Thursday's melee and are looking for tips on their confidential tipline at 847-2255.