New London Police Charge Woman In Slashing Attack

One woman was arrested and police plan to charge another after the two were allegedly involved in a fight with cutting instruments early on Sunday morning.

Yahida Kemp, 34, was charged with first-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. She is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond after her initial appearance in the G.A. 10 Court on Monday.

According to a report by Officer Joshua Bergeson of the New London Police Department, Bergeson and Officer Deanna Nott responded to a report that a large group of people had gathered in the courtyard of the Thames River Apartments at 40 Crystal Ave. at about 2:57 a.m. on Sunday. Bergeson said the area "has had several recent fights involving weapons and large groups of people."

Bergeson said he saw Kemp and a woman identified in the report only as "Parker" get into a physical altercation. He said Parker threw Kemp to the ground and kicked her in the face before he took took her into custody. Nott arrested Kemp.

Bergeson said Parker had cuts to her forehead and left cheek that had apparently been caused by a cutting instrument. He said Parker began screaming at Kemp and threatening to kill her and her family once she realized she had been injured.

Parker was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and later transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital due to the severity of her injuries. Bergeson said Parker "appeared to be under the influence of some type of drug or alcohol" and became belligerent toward hospital staff, saying she did not want to be treated. Kemp was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for lacerations to the fingers on her right hand.

Bergson said a weapon was not recovered at the scene and that he suspected someone in the group may have taken it. He said officers asked people who were in the immediate area of the fight whether they had seen anything and all were uncooperative.

Bergeson said he will be applying for an arrest warrant charging Parker with second-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree threatening, and breach of peace.