By Christal Hayes
Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO — An Orange County deputy was injured after being attacked while trying to break up a fight between fans after the Orlando City Soccer game Sunday, police said.
The deputy, who wasn’t immediately identified, was working extra duty for the Orlando Police Department at the Orlando City soccer home opener, which was the team’s first game in their new stadium.
After the game ended about 7:47 p.m., the deputy was near 595 West Church Street, in between Parramore and Division avenues, and tried to break up a large fight.
Several people involved in the fight started “striking and choking the deputy until assisting units arrived,” said Orlando Police Lt. Robert Bear.
Bear said it was first thought the incident was an unprovoked attack.
The deputy was in full uniform.
Three suspects were arrested, Bear said. They have not been identified.
Bear said police are still investigating the incident but they are not looking for any additional suspects.
The deputy was taken to the hospital with a leg injury but is expected to be OK.
Footage of the incident shows a large crowd of people in soccer clothing gathered near a patrol car.
The video shows people in the group shoving an officer and the officer pushing back. Several other officers are kneeling near the patrol car, appearing to tend to someone on the ground.
Brandon Alba captured some of the incident on camera.
He said a group of fans of New York City FC, who lost to Orlando City, were arguing with some Orlando fans.
One New York fan started arguing with an officer then things got ugly.
“Things started to get out of hand,” he said. “One of the New York fans started fighting with a cop and even choking him.”
The incident is the latest in a rash of violence against law enforcement in Central Florida.
At least 12 officers have been shot or shot at since the start of 2017, leaving one dead and three injured.
The shooting death of Lt. Debra Clayton was the start of the violence, just nine days into the new year.
Clayton was shot “execution style” after confronting murder suspect Markeith Loyd at a Wal-Mart at Princeton Street and John Young Parkway, police said.
Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Stelter was the last officer injured when he was shot multiple times on Tuesday by a robbery suspect.
Stelter is expected to be OK and was released from the hospital.
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©2017 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)