4 Charged in Assault at Clover Fest Concert

Alleged attackers accused of repeatedly hitting two concertgoers at Albany event

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:50pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, discarded concert ticket stub, its edges and texture dramatically illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of the gritty, investigative nature of the crime incident.A discarded concert ticket stub, a stark reminder of the violence that marred a night of music and community.Albany Today

Four people, including a 17-year-old, have been charged with assaulting two attendees at the Clover Fest concert in Albany's MVP Arena on March 21. According to the Albany County Sheriff's Office, the group allegedly used their hands and feet to repeatedly strike the victims while they were seated, causing injuries including pain, redness, and bruising. The alleged assailants, ranging in age from 17 to 45, were charged with third-degree assault and second-degree rioting.

Why it matters

Violent incidents at public events can undermine community trust and raise concerns about security measures. This case highlights the need for better crowd control and de-escalation tactics at large concerts to protect attendees from harm.

The details

The sheriff's office said its investigation determined that four people - a 45-year-old from East Greenbush, a 38-year-old from Troy, a 20-year-old from Troy, and a 17-year-old - repeatedly struck two concertgoers who were seated at the March 21 Clover Fest event. The victims sought medical treatment the next day and reported the incident to authorities. The four alleged assailants were charged with two counts of third-degree assault and one count of second-degree rioting, all misdemeanors. They were arraigned in Albany City Court and released, with the 17-year-old issued an appearance ticket.

  • The incident occurred at the Clover Fest concert in Albany's MVP Arena on March 21, 2026.
  • The victims reported the assault to the Albany County Sheriff's Office the following day, on March 22, 2026.
  • The sheriff's office concluded its investigation and made the arrests on Monday, March 25, 2026.

The players

Albany County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the assault incident and made the arrests.

Clover Fest

A music festival held at the MVP Arena in Albany, New York.

MVP Arena

The venue in Albany, New York where the Clover Fest concert took place.

The Victims

Two concertgoers who were allegedly assaulted by the group of four people while seated at the Clover Fest event.

The Alleged Assailants

A group of four people, including a 17-year-old, who were charged with assaulting the two concertgoers.

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What they’re saying

“The victims sustained injuries, including pain, redness and bruising throughout their bodies.”

— Albany County Sheriff's Office, Statement

What’s next

The four alleged assailants are scheduled to appear in Albany City Court at a later date. The 17-year-old suspect was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to report to Albany County probation. The victims were granted stay-away orders of protection.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for improved security measures and crowd control tactics at large public events to protect attendees from potential violence. Venues and event organizers must prioritize the safety of concertgoers and work closely with local law enforcement to de-escalate any confrontations quickly and effectively.