Five people were arrested after a fight inside Dorchester District Court disrupted proceedings Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
The incident was reported at about 10:04 a.m. on May 20, 2026, when officers assigned to the courthouse responded to reports of a fight inside the building on Washington Street in Dorchester.
Police said officers responding to the courthouse’s second floor learned the initial fight had already ended, though multiple law enforcement personnel from several agencies were still separating those involved.
Authorities said five males involved in the incident were moved to the courthouse holding area to prevent further disruptions to court proceedings.
While officers waited for transportation for the detained individuals, a second confrontation allegedly occurred inside the holding area. Investigators said one of the males, while handcuffed, kicked another individual before attempting to spit on him. Police said the saliva missed the intended target and instead struck an officer.
The five people arrested were identified as a 17-year-old juvenile from Dorchester, Syncere Johnson, Damontay Brown, Shamar Passley-Clark, and Terrel Stokes.
Authorities said all five defendants face charges of affray and disrupting court proceedings. The juvenile additionally faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer.
