AVON, Ohio — Graduation Day — a special moment for Eric Ruiz DeJesus captured on home video.
"I have been dreaming about that moment for a long time," DeJesus told 3News.
It was the same for Adrian Montanez. Both graduated from Lorain High School at Lake Erie Crushers Stadium in Avon Tuesday night, and both had the best day of their life ruined by multiple fights.
"We were just taking pictures then out of nowhere there were people running to deep inside the parking lot and there were police there," said DeJesus.
"[People] didn't know what was happening," Adrian Montanez added. "Everyone was running everywhere, and we tried to get everyone to a safe area."
A fight broke out after the graduation ceremony. Then more followed. Adrian's aunt, Lydia Montanez, captured the chaos on her cellphone, even capturing police officers making an arrest.
Maria Ramirez said she was shocked at the chaos that unfolded.
"Everybody was running yelling nobody knew where to run too because there were fights breaking out everywhere," Ramirez said.
Avon police tell 3News they were on the scene shortly after 9 p.m. With a crowd this large, they called for backup from Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Sheffield Village and Westlake.
Several adults and juveniles were cited at the scene for disorderly conduct, and there was one minor injury.
A minor injury at a major event for the graduating seniors. Montanez and DeJesus wanted graduation to be memorable. But not like this, says DeJesus.
"I was a little disappointed towards the end," DeJesus said. "It ruined a little bit of the vibe but as long as people were safe."
Adrian Montanez added his frustrations that the students' achievements were overshadowed by the brawl.
"It was supposed to be a special day and they just made it worse," he said.