Police are investigating after a fight broke out during the Dowagiac Union Schools high school graduation ceremony on Sunday, leading to several arrests and juvenile court referrals.
The Dowagiac Police Department says officers were called to Chris Taylor Field around 3 p.m. for a large altercation near the bleachers. Several people fled when police arrived, prompting officers to request assistance from other agencies.
The department says a 7-year-old child suffered minor injuries after becoming caught in the fight, but no other injuries were reported.
Two Dowagiac men, ages 20 and 21, were arrested on charges of assault and battery and disturbing the peace. One also had an active warrant. Three juveniles — ages 15, 16, and 17 — were also taken into custody and released to their parents pending juvenile proceedings.
Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information or video to contact them.
Below is the full press release from the Dowagiac Police Department:
“On 5/17/2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, Officers were dispatched to Chris Taylor Field in reference to a fight that was occurring during the Dowagiac Union High School graduation ceremony. Officers arrived, along with the School Resource Officer who was already at the scene and found a large crowd of people fighting near the bleachers with several fleeing upon officer’s arrival. Officers observed one individual involved in the fight who had a current warrant for his arrest and took that person into custody. Officers requested assistance from other law enforcement agencies in the county due to the number of people involved in the incident.
Several people involved in the altercation fled upon arrival of law enforcement. Officers began to contact individuals and witnesses still at the scene to determine what happened and how the altercation started. Officers determined some of the parties involved and were attempting to locate them. Officers were advised that the person in custody on the warrant was directly involved in the altercation and he was arrested for that as well.
Officers were advised that a 7 year old child received minor injuries after being caught in the altercation. An ambulance was requested and responded to the incident for treatment of a very minor injury. Officers were not made aware of any other injuries from this incident. Officers were advised that the parents of the child declined medical assistance from the ambulance crew.
Officers were later advised of an altercation that took place on Second Ave. in Dowagiac that was related to this incident. Officers were able to make contact with some of the other parties involved in the initial altercation and took two people, one adult that was arrested and lodged, and one juvenile that was taken into custody and turned over to parents.
Officers arrested two adults, a 20 and 21 year old males from Dowagiac, for assault and battery and disturbing the peace. The 20 year old was arrested on an active warrant for his arrest as well. Both of these individuals were lodged at the Cass County Jail on charges of assault and battery and disturbing the peace. The names of these individuals are being withheld pending their arraignment in Cass County District Court.
Officers also took three juveniles into custody that were involved in the altercation. These juveniles 15, 16, and 17, were turned over to parents and will be petitioned into juvenile court for charges relating to this incident. The names of juveniles will not be released. Dowagiac Police are working closely with Dowagiac Union Schools to determine everyone involved in this incident.
Dowagiac Police continue to investigate this incident and ask that anyone with information and/or video from this incident to contact police at 269-782-9743, or the Cass County Tip Line at 800-462-9328.
Dowagiac Police were assisted during this incident by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Cassopolis Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police Department, Edwardsburg Police Department, and SMACAS Ambulance.”
