(St. Joseph, MI) - Law enforcement officers in Michigan used pepper spray to stop several fights that caused a beach in Berrien County to close for the rest of the evening Tuesday.

About 8:30 p.m., officers responded to what was described as a “large disturbance” at Silver Beach in St. Joseph.

According to Berrien County Police, officers from other agencies were called to assist in dispersing the crowd, but several additional fights in the immediate area broke out.

Police said pepper spray was used against the individuals actively engaged in physical altercations.  Patrons were then ordered to vacate the beach, which was closed for the remainder of the evening.

Police said three adults were cited for misdemeanor disturbing the peace.  A warrant was also sought for the arrest of the instigator in the first assault captured on video by a bystander.