Toddler Among 7 Shot at Cockfight

An argument at an illegal cockfight ended in the shooting of seven people, including a toddler, police said Sunday.

None of the wounds was life-threatening. Three people were arrested for investigation of attempted murder after the Saturday attack, authorities said.

A report of shots fired led police to a home about 1 p.m. Investigators found bloody roosters, syringes, steroids and a feather-covered cockfighting pit, officials said.

Organizers of the cockfight had hung brightly colored balloons outside, presumably to convince suspicious neighbors and police that visitors were attending a birthday party, investigators said.

“There apparently was a dispute during this event and several suspects were asked to leave, and they did leave and returned with guns and started shooting into the crowd,” Sgt. Mike Blechinger said.