By CONOR BERRY and JEANETTE DEFORGE

Staff Writers

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic Sarno came out swinging at the suspects accused of attacking city police officers as they tried to quell a barroom disturbance that quickly turned into a melee on Saturday.

"There were 60 patrons of an establishment going after our men and women in blue," Sarno said, referring to the 2 a.m. incident at the Fat Cat Bar and Grill, 232 Worthington St.



The police officers who responded to the call "showed amazing restraint" considering they "feared for their lives," the mayor said.



City officials said five officers working the entertainment district detail came under attack while attempting to break up a fight at the Worthington Street bar, also known as The Cats Alley.

The officers were grossly outnumbered, according to police officials, who dispatched nearly every available cop in the city after the officers issued a distress call. About 20 additional officers quickly flooded the Worthington Street area and arrested nine people, including a man from Texas and another from New York.



Sarno characterized the situation as "totally out of control" and wholly unacceptable, and he vowed to use every legal tool at his disposal to sanction the owner of the bar. Michael Torcia, the Fat Cat's owner, is expected to appear before the License Commission at a future date.



The suspects, most of whom face assault charges, are expected to be arraigned Monday in Springfield District Court, police Capt. William Collins said Sunday.



Christopher Braun, 33, of 172 School St., Manchester Conn.; Joshua Mercado, 23, of 1868 Standhope St., Ridgewood, N.Y.; Gisette Lopez, 25, of 87 Edbert St., Chicopee; and Tiffany Pizarro, 21, of 45 Armory St., Springfield, were all charged with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and affray.

The common law charge of affray is tantamount to a public brawl involving two or more people, according to Massachusetts General Law.



Braun, Mercado and Pizarro were additionally charged with resisting arrest, police said.



Miguel Ofray, 26, of 35 Willow St., Springfield, was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct. He is accused of attacking two officers during the brawl.



Hector Diaz, 24, of San Leizario, Texas, was charged with disorderly and affray, while Allan Wilson, 24, of 45 Willow St., Springfield, was charged with disorderly conduct.



Madeline Lopez, 36, of 77 Central St., Springfield, was charged with assault and battery and being a disorderly person. And Hector Lopez, 21, of 25 Myrtle St., Chicopee, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and simple assault.



Four police officers were hospitalized as a result of the melee, with injuries ranging from a concussion to a sprained ankle and broken finger, among others. "To the officers, a speedy recovery," Sarno said Saturday, after calling an impromptu press conference outside the Worthington Street bar.



The incident happened as the city continues to grapple with late-night violence in the club quarter, where crime has dropped since Sarno implemented a curfew that pulls the plug on music, dancing and other forms of entertainment at 1 a.m. Establishments hoping to provide entertainment until the regular 2 a.m. closing time must win a special permit from the mayor.

"This (incident) sends a bad perception of the city of Springfield," Sarno said. "You have to fight fire with fire."