SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WFSB) - Two men were hospitalized and eight were arrested after violence and gunfire broke out at a charity motorcycle event at Cadillac Ranch Restaurant, police said.

According to police James McDermott, 52, of Waterbury, Gerard McAfee, 54, of Branford, Philip Gugliotti, 55, of Waterbury, and 31-year-old Harley Woodbury of Terryville acted together to assault one of the victims.

Police said the other four men who were arrested, including Kevin Lawlor, 48, of Derby, William Schneiter, 60, of Baltic, Marc Debenigno, 49, of Waterbury, and 46-year-old Zarif Ramadanov of Bethany, interfered with the police response.

It remained unclear as of Thursday morning who was responsible for the shooting.

Officers arrived at 7 p.m. on Wednesday to find a 25-year-old man who suffered from a gunshot wound to the torso. He remained in critical condition as of Thursday morning.

They said a 44-year-old man was also taken to the hospital from an assault. That victim was the one assaulted by McDermott, McAfee, Gugliotti, and Woodbury.

Police described the event as a charity “Bike Night” where proceeds were meant to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It included music, food, and drinks.

They said shots rang out about one hour into the event.

An eyewitness told Channel 3 that a fight broke out before she heard a gunshot.

People leaving the area said that someone opened fire in the parking lot.

Due to the size of the crowd and the severity of the injuries, police said they activated their Blue Plan, which brought in several additional departments and state police to the area.

Police said they are still looking into what led up to the incident. A gun was recovered from the scene.

The four men arrested for the assault were charged with second-degree assault and held on $150,000 bonds.

Lawlor, Schneiter, Debenigno, and Ramadanov were charged with interfering with an officer and transported to the Bristol Police Department.

Anyone who witnessed the incident was asked to contact Southington detectives at 860-378-1642 or 860-378-1646.

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