Two stabbed, man slammed with a bottle in Brooklyn party boat melee; suspects sought

An investigation was underway Sunday in New York after two people were stabbed and one was bashed with a bottle in a melee at a party yacht docked at a Brooklyn pier, authorities said.

Officers responding to a 911 call Saturday evening found a 32-year-old man who had been stabbed in the torso, a 40-year-old man with multiple stab wounds and a 28-year-old man who had been hit in the head with a bottle, police said Sunday in a statement provided to USA TODAY. The three were hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests had been made, the statement said.

Social media video from the scene showed chaos as at least eight people, including at least two women, wrestled and punched each other on the pier. One man appeared to stomp on the leg of a woman on the ground. A security guard helps break up the fight, and people are shown carrying a wounded person to an ambulance.

Police evacuated the Cornucopia Majesty, a luxury yacht with a capacity of 1,200 people docked at Brookly Army Terminal. Manhattan Yacht Charters said on its website the ship cruises New York City Harbor "in luxury and style" and allows passengers to "take in the sights on the East River and Hudson River, enjoying all that New York has to offer."

Kevaun Whitely, 27, who lives in Brooklyn, told the New York Times the fight broke out as a large crowd of rowdy partygoers − many of whom had been drinking alcohol − attempted to exit the yacht through the same door.

“It was like a stampede,” Whitely said.

BYFAR Entertainment, which hosted the event, posted a statement on social media.

“Unfortunately, a crime scene developed by the pier, which has caused the postponement of the night event,” the statement said. “We will have updates on a later date so just hold on tight with us while we sort everything out. BYFAR Entertainment has always been a beacon of safe events in New York City and this rare occurrence has never been the norm with us.”