Just before 12:30am on Saturday, November 11th, Cortland Police responded to Palm Gardens on Elms Street in the City of Cortland for a large fight being reported.
The fight spilled from inside the bar to the outside parking lot. Additional police agencies including the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and Homer Police, were requested to respond to the scene.
Officers were able to take control of the scene and found one male had been stabbed multiple times during the fight. The victim was transported to Upstate Hospital where they were later released and are expected to make a full recovery.
An investigation found 36 year old Robert M. Gardner as the suspect in the stabbing. He was arrested and charged with Assault in the 2nd, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd, both Felonies.
Cortland Police say four other suspects were arrested for disorderly conduct for their involvement in the fight, they have been identified as 40 year old Rafael Rodriguez, 53 year old Brian Parks, 35 year old Noel Torres, and 33 year old Robert Stevens.
The investigation remains ongoing and more arrests are possible, Cortland Police says. Gardner was arraigned and bail was set. He has since been bailed out and is due to appear in Cortland City Court later this month.
